ADO.NET for Web Applications Using C#

This three-day intensive course teaches the essential elements of ADO.NET such that at the end of the course the programmer is able to utilize its tremendous database manipulation powers to build effective database applications for the Web. The course includes a major case study demonstrating the use of ADO.NET and ASP.NET in a realistic setting. It is current to .NET 2.0, Visual Studio 2005 and SQL Server 2005.

For students pursuing MCTS certification, the course provides helpful preparation for Exam 70-528: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0Web-Based Client Development.

The course opens with an overview of ADO.NET and its relation to previous Microsoft data access technologies, including ADO. It includes a discussion of ADO.NET architecture, main interfaces and classes, and programming with both the connected and disconnected models. The database for the case study is introduced.

The next two chapters cover in detail Connection and Command objects, which are essential in both connected and disconnected database access scenarios. The following chapter covers DataReaders, which provide a fast, forward-only reading capability. Programming with DataReaders bears a close resemblance to programming with the vintage recordset object.

Then the course focuses on the backbone of ADO.NET: DataSet and its related classes, such as DataAdapter, DataTable, DataRow, DataColumn, DataRelation, TableMappings and ColumnMappings. DataSet is able to handle multiple tables while remaining disconnected. It is eminently suited for building highly scalable applications for the Web.

Transactions and concurrency are covered. The course concludes with a hands-on treatment of additional new ADO.NET features in .NET 2.0.

• A basic knowledge of SQL and of programming the .NET Framework using C#. The student should be able to write simple Web Forms applications. A working knowledge of SQL Server is also desirable.

On completion of this course, the student should be able to

• Understand the architecture and main classes of ADO.NET
• Gain fluency in programming ADO.NET using C#
• Gain a thorough understanding of the use of disconnected DataSets for building highly scalable applications
• Learn how to use new features in ADO.NET 2.0 with Visual Studio 2005 and SQL Server 2005
• Implement a realistic case study that ties together all the concepts of ADO.NET in a practical demonstration

3 Days

Instructor-led course, with practical computer-based exercises.

• 1. Introduction to ADO.NET
  • Microsoft Data Access Technologies
  • From ADO to ADO.NET
  • ADO.NET Architecture
  • Namespaces and Classes
  • Interfaces
  • DataSets and Disconnected Access
  • First ADO.NET Programs
  • Acme Computer Case Study

• 2. ADO.NET Connections
  • .NET Data Providers
  • IDbConnection
  • Connection Classes
  • Connection Strings
  • Connection Pooling
  • Database Programs with ASP.NET
  • Connection Events
  • Error Handling

• 3. ADO.NET Commands
  • IDbCommand
  • Command Objects
  • Creating Commands
  • Executing Commands
  • Parameterized Queries
  • Command Types
  • Using Stored Procedures
  • Batch Queries

• 4. DataReaders and Connected Access
  • DataReaders
  • IDataReader
  • IDataRecord
  • Type-Safe Accessors
  • Null Columns
  • ExecuteReader Options
  • Multiple Result Sets
  • Obtaining Schema Information

• 5. Data Sets and Disconnected Access
  • DataSet
  • DataAdapter
  • Command Objects
  • DataTable
  • DataColumn
  • DataRow
  • Row States and Versions
  • Accept or Reject Changes
  • DataTable Events
  • Updating a Database from a DataSet
  • Command Builders

• 6. More about DataSets
  • Filtering DataTables
  • Multiple Table DataSets
  • Schema
  • Constraints
  • Relations
  • Navigating a DataSet
  • DataMapping
  • Creating a DataSet Programmatically

• 7. Concurrency and Transactions
  • DataSets and Concurrency
  • Optimistic Concurrency
  • Pessimistic Concurrency
  • Handling Concurrency Violations
  • ADO.NET Transactions
  • Database Transactions

• 8. Data Access in .NET 2.0
  • ASP.NET 2.0 Data Controls
  • Multiple Active Result Sets
  • Bulk Copy in ADO.NET
  • Asynchronous Database Operations

• Appendix A. Acme Computer Case Study

• Appendix B. Learning Resources

The entire course runs using Visual Studio 2005. Alternatively, you can use both Visual C# 2005 Express Edition and Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition. The recommended operating system is Windows XP with Service Pack 2. Internet Information Services and SQL Server 2005 Express Edition should be installed. See the appropriate course Setup Guide for details.

A good minimal hardware profile for this course would have a Pentium 500-MHz or equivalent CPU, 256 MB of RAM, and at least 4 GB of free disk space for tools installation and courseware.

See the appropriate course Setup Guide for details.