connecting-to-data-source.md

title	Connecting to data source
description	Learn about Connection objects, used to connect to data sources in ADO.NET. The Connection object you choose depends on the type of data source.
author	David-Engel
ms.author	davidengel
ms.date	11/13/2020
ms.service	sql
ms.subservice	connectivity
ms.topic	concept-article

Connecting to a data source in ADO.NET

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In the Microsoft SqlClient data provider, you use a Connection object to connect to a specific data source by supplying necessary authentication information in a connection string. The Connection object you use depends on the type of data source.

The Microsoft SqlClient Data Provider for SQL Server includes a xref:Microsoft.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection type that is derived from a xref:System.Data.Common.DbConnection class.

In this section

Establishing the Connection
Describes how to use a Connection object to establish a connection to a data source.

Connection Events
Describes how to use an InfoMessage event to retrieve informational messages from a data source.

See also

• Connection strings
• Connection pooling
• Commands and parameters
• DataAdapters and DataReaders
• Transactions and concurrency
• Microsoft ADO.NET for SQL Server