Pretty Simple Huh? not really.
here are the common tasks that you would like to do
(LINQ to SQL and entity framework not supported – Don’t even try it)
a. Connect the DB from VS to run some selects.
b. Create connection in code and get some data on web page.
There are 3 ways to go
1. Client side – System.data.OracleClient –> this is going away soon. so don not build you fortune apps on this. However, Visual studio uses this to connect. here is what you need (learned hard way)
- Open VS, Data->Add new data source and select Dataset.
- In add new connection dialog, you need to know the Host name of the Oracle server. (typically “HOST=” in your tnsnames.ora – on Oracle server)
- you also need to know the SID which is nothing but the service ID. (typically “SERVICE_NAME=” in your tnsnames.ora – on Oracle server)
- make sure that you enter servername/SID and use the test connection. – Success!
2. ODP.NET – oracle Data provider for .NET – a world in itself. More details and downloads here
http://www.oracle.com/technology/sample_code/tech/windows/odpnet/howto/connect/index.html
<- Note that this is the way to go. make sure that you do connection pooling to save money on performance consultant 
3. .NET data provider for Oracle – From .NET side. pretty much OLEDB stuff. Didn’t go good on performance front for Obvious reasons, last choice for me.
