ActiveX Data Object, or ADO for short, is a technology that allows programmers to manipulate data. It was first released in the late 1990s and has been used since then to create high-quality applications with rich interfaces.
ADO is an important part of programming today because it provides access to many databases and data sources in order for programmers to create their desired application.
ADO is a Microsoft API which allows developers to access data from other databases, files, or sources from within the app being developed.
Universal Data Access is Microsoft’s strategy to provide developers with a uniform interface that can access data from any database in the world. ADO, Object-oriented Programming Interface and part of Universal Data Access, provides developers an object-based way to work with objects such as tables or records.
Microsoft is committed to providing universal access by designing a bridge program that connects various kinds of databases with Microsoft’s OLE DB. This solution has proven much more practical than the suggestions provided by IBM and Oracle, who had suggested building one database for everyone.
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Features and Benefits of ADO
Data Source Agnostic
One of the key advantages of ADO is its ability to work with various data sources, including relational databases, spreadsheets, XML files, and more. It provides a consistent programming model regardless of the underlying data store, allowing developers to switch between different databases or file formats without changing their code significantly.
High Performance
ADO is designed for optimal performance, ensuring efficient data retrieval and manipulation. It utilizes advanced techniques such as connection pooling, caching, and optimized data access algorithms to minimize latency and improve overall application responsiveness.
Rich Data Manipulation Capabilities
With ADO, developers can perform a wide range of data manipulation tasks, including querying, inserting, updating, and deleting records. It supports powerful querying capabilities through its SQL-like language, enabling developers to retrieve data based on complex criteria and perform aggregations and joins.
Support for Disconnected Data Access
ADO allows developers to work with data in a disconnected manner, which means they can retrieve data from a data source, manipulate it locally, and later synchronize the changes back to the original source. This approach is particularly useful for applications that need to work with occasionally connected or distributed data.
Integration with Other Technologies
ADO seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft technologies, such as Active Server Pages (ASP), Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), and the .NET framework. This integration enables developers to leverage the power of ADO in their existing applications or when building new ones.
