ADO.NET
ADO.NET is a data access framework in the .NET ecosystem that provides a set of classes for connecting to and interacting with data sources such as databases, XML files, and web services. It enables developers to perform CRUD operations, manage transactions, and handle data in a disconnected or connected manner through components like DataSet, DataReader, and DataAdapter. It serves as the core technology for data access in applications built with C#, VB.NET, and other .NET languages.
Developers should learn ADO.NET when building .NET applications that require efficient and scalable data access to relational databases like SQL Server, Oracle, or MySQL, especially in enterprise or desktop scenarios. It is essential for scenarios involving complex data manipulation, batch updates, or when working with legacy systems that rely on direct database connections, as it offers fine-grained control over data operations and performance optimization compared to higher-level ORMs.