Powerful and very useful tool for MySQL database connection using .net technologies
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
dotConnect is a great product that allows us use MySQL with ADO.Net Entity Framework. Usually, SQL Server is considered when using ADO.Net but sometimes MySQL is desirable due to license costs and available functionallities. So, in that cases, our company uses dotConnect when programmers an analysts take the decision of using MySQL. Mainly, it is used integrated to Microsoft Visual Studio to develop Lightswitch based applications.
Pros
- Supports several MySQL features, such as secure connections, SSH and HTTP tunneling.
- Allows us to consider in our Lightswitch applications the most used relational database in the world
- Implements Role, Session State, Membership, Profile and other ASP 2.0 providers (essential for Lightswitch applications)
- Direct connections via TCP/IP to MySQL (no client libraries needed)
- There is a free version (Express Edition) with basic but essential features
Cons
- Better troubleshooting for errors in Visual Studio integration mode
- Improvements in performance
- Documentation could be better
Return on Investment
- Low-cost product for basic connectivity features
- Allows us to deliver applications for clients that requires MySQL as a database
- Allows us keep using our development tools and IDE due to integration capabilities (mainly Visual Studio)
- Easy to use
