Introduction to database interaction with C#

Asked 2009-04-17T19:52:17.147

Up to now in my programming career (two years) I have not had much database experience, but the company where I now work uses databases extensively for their product, and I feel behind the curve.

So I would like to know how best to start learning database interaction with C#. I've read about LINQ-to-SQL and ADO.net. Are these the right technologies to look into?

Where do I start?

EDIT: Thanks for all the responses. There were many good ones - I had a hard time choosing one as "the" answer. This helps me greatly!

c# sql linq-to-sql ado.net

Edit Report

2 Answers

I would suggest investing your time in learning Microsoft SQL Server itself, Data Access Application Block from Enterprise Library and ADO.NET Entity Framework.

Entry point for learning SQL Server is here -> SQL Server Developer Center
Entry point for learning ADO.NET is here -> Learning ADO.NET at MSDN

First of all, in order to gain a good understanding of what ADO.NET is, check the links below:

ADO.NET at Wikipedia
ADO.NET Entity Framework at Wikipedia

Learn how to write direct queries in C# to SQL Server without using any frameworks and ORM tools, then proceed to learning more advanced technologies in ADO.NET family.

See also: