Using Other Sources for LINQ to SQL Server Projects in Visual C#

Make Code39 in Visual C# Using Other Sources for LINQ to SQL Server Projects

Most business applications rely on a database connection of some type to retrieve information the user needs LINQ to SQL provides the LINQ connection to SQL Server Using LINQ to SQL relieves you of much of the burden of having to maintain the connection yourself In addition, LINQ to SQL tends to reduce the complexity of working with SQL Server The following list provides you with some additional resources you ll want when working with LINQ to SQL: Introducing LINQ to Relational Data: http://msdn2microsoftcom/ en-us/library/cc161164aspx LINQ to SQL: http://msdn2microsoftcom/en-us/library/ bb386976aspx LINQ to SQL: NET Language-Integrated Query for Relational Data: http://msdn2microsoftcom/en-us/library/bb425822aspx LINQ to SQL In Disconnected/N-Tier scenarios: http://jonkruger com/blog/2008/02/10/linq-to-sql-in-disconnectedn-tierscenarios-saving-an-object/

LINQ to SQL Samples: http://msdn2microsoftcom/en-us/ vbasic/bb688085aspx Object Relational Designer (O/R Designer): http://msdn2microsoft com/en-us/library/bb384429aspx The ADONET Entity Framework Overview: http://msdn2microsoft com/en-us/library/aa697427(VS80)aspx LINQ to SQL works fine with most newer versions of SQL Server, even SQL Server Express You don t need to purchase an expensive version of SQL Server for your test setup Simply download a copy of SQL Server Express from http://msdn2microsoftcom/en-us/express/bb410792aspx or a SQL Server 2008 Trial Edition from http://wwwmicrosoftcom/ sqlserver/2008/en/us/trial-softwareaspx You can also use your existing copy of SQL Server 2000 and above LINQ to SQL doesn t work with other SQL products such as MySQL you must obtain a special provider for these other databases or use LINQ to Entities or LINQ to ADONET to work with them

XML may be the most prevalent data storage technology today, at least when it comes to application configuration, Web services, localized application storage, and user-specific data You may eventually see XML replace much of the storage for enterprise databases as well, but that day may not occur for a while yet Even so, XML appears in many places on your hard drive and the files don t always have an XML extension Sometimes XML appears bundled with other application storage, such as when working with an Office 2007 document No matter where you find XML, the LINQ to XML provider gives you a way to interact with that data without a lot of extra effort The following list provides resources that you ll want to add to your LINQ to XML toolbox: LINQ to XML: http://msdn2microsoftcom/en-us/library/ bb387098aspx LINQ to XML Overview: http://msdn2microsoftcom/en-us/ library/bb387061aspx Overview of LINQ to XML in Visual Basic: http://msdn2microsoft com/en-us/library/bb384460aspx Programming Guide (LINQ to XML): http://msdn2microsoftcom/ en-us/library/bb387087aspx

XML often requires special handling in your application It s easy to look at XML as specially formatted text, but you must also approach it as you would any other database, which means considering the data schema when you make changes In addition, the XML file may make use of an XSD file or require translation with XSLT These other files place requirements on the content of the XML file Be sure you understand the technologies that XML relies on before you begin making changes to any XML file The following resources provide additional information about XML as a technology: W3C Schools: h t t p : / / w w w w 3 schoolscom/xml/ XML namespace tutorial: http://www zvonorg/indexphp nav_id= 172&ns=34 XML Schema 2001 Reference: http:// wwwzvonorg/xxl/xmlSchema 2001Reference/Output/index html XML Schema Reference (draft 2000/10): http://wwwzvonorg/xxl/ xmlSchemaReference/Output/ indexhtml Annotated XML Specification: http:// wwwxmlcom/axml/axmlhtml Microsoft XML Developer Center: http:// msdn2microsoftcom/en-us/ xml/defaultaspx

The basic LINQ to technologies that come with NET Framework are just the tip of the iceberg This book has shown you a number of alternative LINQ to providers, including LINQ to Active Directory and LINQ to RDF The Internet contains a host of other LINQ to technologies, many of which appear in Table 1-1 In addition to the Web sites you find in Table 1-1 and in the chapters that discuss alternative LINQ to providers, you ll also want to check out these other LINQ to sources of information These resources may be the answer to your next project using third-party technologies: Advanced Basics: Office 2007 Files and LINQ: http://msdn2microsoft com/en-us/magazine/cc337894aspx LINQ to ADONET: http://msdn2microsoftcom/en-us/library/ bb399360aspx LINQ to DataSet: http://msdn2microsoftcom/en-us/library/ bb386977aspx LINQ to DataSet Overview: http://msdn2microsoftcom/en-us/ library/bb399399aspx