ASP.NET Dataset

The DataSet in ADO.NET provides a disconnected representation of result sets from a data source. It serves as an in-memory container that holds data retrieved from a database, and it is completely independent of the original data source. This disconnected nature of the DataSet allows it to work with the data without being tied to the data source, providing greater flexibility.

DataSet

Unlike the DataReader, which is designed for working with connection-oriented data sources, the DataSet can work with data from any source without needing to maintain an active connection. This makes it a powerful tool for working with data in various scenarios, including scenarios where the data is obtained from different sources or where data relationships need to be established and maintained.

A DataSet is composed of one or more DataTable objects, each representing a table of data retrieved from the database. These DataTables can be related to each other using Data Relations within the DataSet, allowing for complex data structures and hierarchies to be represented.

DataAdapter object

The DataAdapter object is used to populate the DataTables within the DataSet. The Fill() method of the DataAdapter is used to populate the data in the DataSet from the data source. This method retrieves data from the data source and populates the corresponding DataTables, enabling efficient data retrieval and manipulation.

The DataSet can be filled from a data source using the DataAdapter or dynamically by programmatically adding and manipulating DataTables and their data within the DataSet.

Conclusion

The DataSet in ADO.NET provides a disconnected representation of result sets from a data source. It allows for flexible and independent manipulation of data, and it is not tied to a specific data source. The DataSet consists of DataTables that hold the retrieved data, and relationships can be established between these DataTables. The DataAdapter is used to populate the DataTables within the DataSet, either from a data source or dynamically. The DataSet is a powerful tool for working with data and offers significant advantages over the DataReader in terms of flexibility and data management capabilities.