413C2.  ADO.NET Using Oracle and C#

Rev. 2.0

           

This three-day 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. The course includes a major case study demonstrating the use of ADO.NET in a realistic setting. Both Windows and Web front-end user interfaces are presented, and there are corresponding parallel tracks in the case study. The course uses Oracle as the database and includes coverage of the Oracle Data Provider for .NET (ODP.NET). The course is current to .NET 2.0, Visual Studio 2005 and Oracle 10g.

 

The course opens with a discussion of the basics of database applications. The database for the case study is introduced. The fundamentals of ADO.NET are presented, including a discussion of ADO.NET architecture, main interfaces and classes, and programming with the connected model using DataReaders. Command objects are covered in detail, including the use of stored procedures.

 

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.

 

The close relationship between ADO.NET and XML is covered in detail. There is a practical discussion of data binding and its use in both Windows Forms and Web Forms (ASP.NET) applications. Students will gain a familiarity with creating a Data Access Layer, as it applies to traditional three-tier application architecture, and will learn how to use it in their code.

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 

·         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

·         Acquire a working knowledge of the tight coupling of XML with ADO.NET

·         Implement a realistic case study that ties together all the concepts of ADO.NET in a practical demonstration

 

Course Duration:  3 days

 

Prerequisites:  A basic knowledge of SQL and of programming the .NET Framework using C#. The student should also understand the fundamentals of XML. To get full benefit from the case studies in the course, the student should be able to write simple Windows Forms and Web Forms applications. A working knowledge of Oracle is also required.

 

1.      Database Application Basics

Data Modeling

Performance Considerations

Conceptual Design and the Data Layer

APIs

 

2.      ADO.NET Fundamentals

ADO.NET Overview

.NET Data Providers

Connections

Error Handling

DataReaders

IDataReader

IDataRecord

Type-Safe Accessors

Null Columns

 

3.      ADO.NET Commands

IDbCommand

Command Objects

Creating Commands

Executing Commands

Parameterized Queries

Command Types

Using Stored Procedures

Using Oracle REF CURSOR

 

4.      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

Filtering DataTables

 

5.      XML and ADO.NET

Strong Coupling Between ADO.NET and XML

Rendering XML from a DataSet

Controlling XML Output

Reading XML into a DataSet

XML Schema and DataSets

Typed DataSets

Synchronizing DataSets and XML

XML Serialization

 

6.      Data Binding

DataView

Data Binding in Windows Forms

Simple Data Binding

DataGrid Binding

Master Detail Binding

Data Binding in Web Forms

 

7.      Creating and Using a Data Access Layer

Three-Tier Applications

Creating a Data Access Layer

Implementing the Business Logic

Creating the User Interface

 

Appendix A. Acme Computer Case Study

 

Appendix B. Learning Resources

System Requirements

 

Course exercises require Visual Studio 2005, the Oracle Data Provider for .NET (ODP.NET), and Oracle RDBMS 10g Express Edition.  See the appropriate course Setup Guide for details.

 

A good minimal hardware profile for this course would have a Pentium 1 GHz or equivalent CPU, 512 MB of RAM, and at least 5 GB of free disk space for operating system, tools installation, and courseware.