dotConnect for Oracle Overview

dotConnect for Oracle, formerly known as OraDirect .NET, is an enhanced data provider for Oracle that builds on ADO.NET technology to present a complete solution for developing Oracle-based database applications. As part of the Devart database application development framework, dotConnect for Oracle offers both high performance native connectivity to the Oracle database and a number of innovative development tools and technologies.

dotConnect for Oracle introduces new approaches for designing application architecture, boosts productivity, and leverages database application.

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Advantages of dotConnect for Oracle

Wide Coverage of Oracle Features

By providing access to the most advanced database functionality, dotConnect for Oracle allows developers to harness the full capabilities of the Oracle server and optimize their database applications. dotConnect for Oracle stands out as the set of components with the widest support of Oracle functionality.

Flexible Connectivity

dotConnect for Oracle offers two connection modes to the Oracle server: connection through the Oracle Call Interface and direct connection over TCP/IP. Applications written with dotConnect for Oracle are easy to deploy, do not require installation of Oracle Client Software, and tend to be faster than those that use other data connectivity solutions.

Optimized Code

The goal of dotConnect for Oracle is to enable developers to write efficient and flexible database applications. The dotConnect for Oracle assemblies are implemented using optimized code and advanced data access algorithms. Components undergo comprehensive performance tests and are designed to help you write thin and efficient product data access layers.

Comprehensive Support for ADO.NET Technology Features

dotConnect for Oracle supports new ADO.NET features and technologies as soon as they are released. This includes base-class-based provider model, provider factories, connection string builder, metadata schemas, asynchronous commands, pooling enhancements, batch update support, provider-specific types, server enumeration, database change notification support and so on. dotConnect for Oracle will continue supporting the newest standards and innovations of the .NET Framework.

Database Application Development Extensions

dotConnect for Oracle has rich set of design time tools that leverage the development process greatly. Particularly, there are convenient design time component editors, wizards and managers for typed Oracle-specific components, toolset for live data binding and much more. dotConnect for Oracle integrates tightly with Visual Studio 2005/2008/2010, Delphi, and SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence Solutions. Last, but not least, there is OraDeveloper Tools to design your database schema and manipulate table data - all within your favorite IDE.

Oracle Advanced Features Support

dotConnect for Oracle has extra components designed to simplify some tasks and support Oracle-specific technologies. Particularly, OracleScript serves to execute series of SQL statements, OracleLoader serves to load external data into Oracle databases with use of Direct Path API, OracleAlerter and OraclePipe transfer messages and data between connections or client applications, and so on. dotConnect for Oracle includes set of classes designed to work with Oracle Advanced Queuing technology.

ADO.NET Entity Framework Support

ADO.NET Entity Framework is a conceptual approach to database application development with focus on objects instead of relational data. The flexible architecture of Entity Framework is made up of well-thought layers and modules. Entity Framework optimizes the development process with object-relational mapping, SQL-based entity query language, and LINQ.

dotConnect for Oracle fully supports the Entity Framework capabilities, which allows you to base your object-oriented applications on Oracle. dotConnect for Oracle includes a set of demos to use as a starting point. All standard Entity Framework samples can be easily ported to dotConnect for Oracle. See our Entity Framework tutorial and Entity Framework Query Samples article for a quick start with the technology.

LinqConnect

dotConnect for Oracle includes support for LinqConnect technology. The technology allows you to employ object-oriented database application development with less efforts and in less time. Compared to ADO.NET Entity Framework, LinqConnect is better suited for RAD-style development, is easier to start with, and somewhat richer with server-oriented features like server-specific types. See our LinqConnect tutorial for a quick start with the technology.

Both Connected and Disconnected Models

dotConnect for Oracle combines connected and disconnected data access models in single OracleDataTable component, which allows you to design more flexible application architecture and use full power of data binding.

Key Features

The following list describes the main features of dotConnect for Oracle.

• Direct access mode (without Oracle client)
• 100% managed code
• High performance
• Easy to deploy
• Supports the latest versions of Oracle server, including Personal and Express editions
• All Oracle data types support
• Full Oracle Objects support
• Comprehensive REF CURSOR support
• PL/SQL tables and PL/SQL records support
• .NET Compact Framework support
• Entity Framework support
• LinqConnect support
• ASP.NET Provider Model support
• Operates in both connected and disconnected models
• Powerful OracleDataTable component as all-in-one table data access solution
• Typed OraclePackage component for wrapping PL/SQL packages
• Auxiliary components for SQL scripts and bulk data transfer
• Extra data binding capabilities
• Cross-form components cooperation
• Ability of monitoring query execution
• Licensed royalty-free per developer, per team, or per site

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OraDeveloper Tools for dotConnect for Oracle

dotConnect for Oracle Developer Edition includes OraDeveloper Tools.

OraDeveloper Tools is a powerful tool designed to automate and simplify Oracle database development process. It integrates into Microsoft Visual Studio and CodeGear Delphi making all database development and administration tasks available from your favorite IDE. It provides an easier way to explore and maintain existing databases, design compound SQL statements, query and manipulate data in different ways.

Main advantages of OraDeveloper Tools are:

• Convenient server browsing
• Simplified database objects creating and altering
• Advanced SQL handling
• Powerful data editing
• Wide support of Oracle server objects
• Direct access to Oracle server
• Extra design-time capabilities
• Help integrated into IDE

OraDeveloper Tools is also available as standalone application. For more information on the product please refer to OraDeveloper Tools pages.