Whether a beginner or an expert, your training starts here. The Microsoft Data Platform provides developers with a comprehensive programming framework in which to create data centric solutions that target mobile devices, desktops, Web servers, and enterprise servers.

Learning by Topic

  • ADO.NET
    Learn about the array of technologies emerging under the ADO.NET name and the scenarios behind them.
  • ADO.NET Data Services
    (previously known as Project "Astoria") consists of a combination of patterns and libraries that enable the creation and consumption of data services for the Web.
  • ADO.NET Entity Framework
    Strongly-typed LINQ for applications requiring a flexible Object Relational mapping across Microsoft SQL Server and third-party databases.
  • LINQ
    Learn about the various LINQ implementations in the Microsoft Data Platform.
  • LINQ to SQL
    Strongly-typed LINQ for rapidly developed applications across Microsoft SQL Server databases.
  • LINQ to DataSet
    LINQ to DataSet brings the power of strongly-typed LINQ to your DataSet based application.
  • Microsoft Project Code Named "Velocity"
    Microsoft project code named "Velocity" provides a highly scalable in-memory application cache for all kinds of data. By using cache, application performance can improve significantly by avoiding unnecessary calls to the data source.
  • ADO.NET 1.1/2.0
    Direct access to data sources such as Microsoft SQL Server and XML, as well as to data sources exposed through OLE DB and ODBC.
  • SQL Server Native Client
    SQL OLE DB provider and SQL ODBC driver in one native DLL supporting applications native-code access to Microsoft SQL Server.
  • SQL Server JDBC Driver
    Provides access to SQL Server 2000 and SQL Server 2005 from any Java application, application server, or Java-enabled applet.
  • SQL Server Driver for PHP
    Enables reliable, scalable integration with SQL Server for PHP applications deployed on the Windows platform.
  • MDAC/WDAC
    Microsoft Data Access Components/Windows Data Access Components including ODBC and OLEDB.
  • XML
    Learn how to use Microsoft XML Core Services and the .NET Framework and Visual Studio APIs and Tools for processing XML data in your applications.
  • Previous Versions

Learning Types

How Do I Video Series
Need information quickly? No time to read about it? Check out these how-to videos.
Webcasts
Watch webcasts from the convenience of your office.
Technical Articles
If you're looking for tips to help you complete your task, check out our technical articles.
Books
Want to purchase a book? Look here for a listing of Data Platform programming titles.

Featured Webcasts

Entity Framework for Database Administrators (Level 200)
Join this webcast to see how the Entity Framework can radically change the development of applications from a DBA perspective, and also change access patterns on servers. We discuss these changes and their impact on DBAs and data developers.

Framework Masterclass: LINQ to Entities (Level 200)
In this webcast, we connect to the data access layer, the business objects that provide the functionality of working with enterprise data.

Framework Masterclass: LINQ to SQL (Level 200)
See how LINQ provides methods to work with Structured Query Language (SQL) databases, including how to query, insert, and manage data using the LINQ framework.

Introducing LINQ to DataSet (Level 200)
In this webcast we explore how LINQ to DataSet enables you to take advantage of the power of LINQ in your DataSet-based applications.

MSDN geekSpeak: Julie Lerman on ADO.NET (Level 200)
Learn how the ADO.NET Entity Framework provides for abstracted access to your data, client views and schemas, and mapping of data to objects.

View all...

Featured Articles

Introducing LINQ to Relational Data
Learn more about using LINQ against a Relational database with LINQ to SQL and LINQ to Entities. What are the key scenarios for which each of these technologies was designed?

Next-Generation Data Access: Making the Conceptual Level Real
Eliminate the impedance mismatch for both applications and data services like reporting, analysis, and replication offered as part of the SQL Server product by raising the level of abstraction from the logical (relational) level to the conceptual (entity) level.

Connecting to SQL Server 2008 from Visual Studio 2005 and 2008
Since Visual Studio 2008 and 2005 were released before SQL Server 2008, their respective tools and data designers do not automatically support SQL Server 2008 and its new data types and features. Learn how and when this support becomes available.

 

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