The System.Data.Common namespace provides classes for creating DbProviderFactory instances to work with specific data sources. When you create a DbProviderFactory instance and pass it information about the data provider, the DbProviderFactory can determine the correct, strongly typed connection object to return based on the information it has been provided.

Beginning in the .NET Framework version 4, data providers such as System.Data.Odbc, System.Data.OleDb, System.Data.SqlClient, and System.Data.OracleClient are no longer listed in machine.config file, but custom providers will continue to be listed there.

In This Section

Factory Model Overview
Provides an overview of the factory design pattern and programming interface.

Obtaining a DbProviderFactory
Demonstrates how to list the installed data providers and create a DbConnection from a DbProviderFactory.

DbConnection, DbCommand and DbException
Demonstrates how to create a DbCommand and DbDataReader, and how to handle data errors using DbException.

Modifying Data with a DbDataAdapter
Demonstrates how to use a DbCommandBuilder with a DbDataAdapter to retrieve and modify data.

See Also

Retrieving and Modifying Data in ADO.NET
ADO.NET Managed Providers and DataSet Developer Center