Note: The following content requires a knowledge of database technologies.
The following is a comparison of two different database access technologies from Microsoft, namely, ActiveX Data Objects (ADO) and ADO.NET. Before comparing the two technologies, it is essential to get an overview of Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) and the .NET Framework. Microsoft Data Access Components provide a uniform and comprehensive way of developing applications for accessing almost any data store entirely from unmanaged code. The .NET Framework is an application virtual machine-based software environment that provides security mechanisms, memory management, and exception handling and is designed so that developers need not consider the capabilities of the specific CPU that will execute the .NET application. The .NET application virtual machine turns intermediate language (IL) into machine code. High-level language compilers for C#, VB.NET and C++ are provided to turn source code into IL. ADO.NET is shipped with the Microsoft NET Framework.
ADO relies on COM whereas ADO.NET relies on managed-providers defined by the .NET CLR. ADO.NET does not replace ADO for the COM programmer; rather, it provides the .NET programmer with access to relational data sources, XML, and application data.