How to: Create Connections to Oracle Databases

You connect your application to an Oracle database using the .NET Framework Data Provider for Oracle.

Whether you are creating data connections with one of the data wizards or in Server Explorer/Database Explorer, the process of defining your connection is the same; you need to choose a data source in the Choose/Change Data Source Dialog Box and add connection information in the Add/Modify Connection Dialog Box (General).

Note

The dialog boxes and menu commands you see might differ from those described in Help depending on your active settings or edition. To change your settings, choose Import and Export Settings on the Tools menu. For more information, see Visual Studio Settings.

Creating a Data Connection to an Oracle Database

To create a data connection to an Oracle database

  1. In the Choose Data Source dialog box, select Oracle Database, and click OK.

    If the Add Connection dialog box opens, and the Data source is not Oracle Database, click Change to open the Choose/Change Data Source dialog box. For more information, see Choose/Change Data Source Dialog Box.

  2. Type the name of the server where the database you want to access is located.

  3. Type the User name and Password used to access the database, if required. For more information, see Add/Modify Connection (Oracle).

  4. Click OK.

Security

Storing sensitive information (such as the a password) can affect the security of your application. Using Windows Authentication (also known as integrated security) is a more secure way to control access to a database. For more information, see Protecting Connection Information (ADO.NET).

See Also

Tasks

How to: Connect to Data in a Database

Walkthrough: Connecting to Data in a Database

Reference

Data Source Configuration Wizard

Other Resources

Connecting to Data in Visual Studio

Preparing Your Application to Receive Data

Fetching Data into Your Application

Displaying Data on Forms in Windows Applications

Editing Data in Your Application

Validating Data

Saving Data