LINQ to SQL vs ADO.Net

Question

What's the difference between LINQ to SQL and ADO.net ?

Answer 1

ADO.NET is the underlying data access API for .NET Framework (much like JDBC in Java). It's been around since the first release of .NET.

LINQ to SQL is a data access framework built on ADO.NET and new language features that makes SQL Server data available natively in the object oriented style of programming.

Answer 2

You need to start with the understanding that LINQ is Microsoft's intended paradigm for querying all sorts of structured data declaratively with one tool - think "One Ring To Rule Them All". LINQ to SQL is just the first manifestation, implemented to query relational databases.

In fact, Microsoft has a mixed message about LINQ's relationship with SQL. I think the problem is that it has become understood as a substitute for other abstraction strategies, and it is now often seen as a way for programmers to avoid the need to become skilled at SQL.

ADO.Net treats OOP as what it is, and relational data as what it is, and expects you to do each properly on its own terms.

The advantages and disadvantages of the two are open to debate. But if you agree that Microsoft's Computer Science wizards have come up with something of an uber-abstraction for structured data querying, then you'll probably want to move in this direction. There is some indication that other software product providers are willing to play along, so it may not even end up being totally proprietary, which would be a good thing.