About the Data Providers

DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET is compliant with Microsoft .NET Framework. DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET data providers are built with 100% managed code; they can run and connect to the database entirely within the common language runtime (CLR).

For the latest support and certification information, visit the DataDirect Product Compatibility Guide.

Code that runs in the native operating system, such as client libraries and COM components, is called unmanaged code. You can mix managed and unmanaged code within a single application. However, unmanaged code reaches outside the CLR, which means that it effectively increases complexity, reduces performance, and opens possible security risks.

The ADO.NET Entity Framework data providers for DB2, Oracle, and Sybase support Microsoft’s ADO.NET Entity Framework, allowing you to fully leverage the functionality of this object-relational mapping tool, no matter which application development approach you use—LINQ, Entity SQL, or ADO.NET Data Services.

The following figure shows the difference between using a data provider that calls the client library and the DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET data provider that connects directly to the DBMS using wire protocol technology.

The Advantage of Using Wire Protocol