Connecting Oracle Database to Visual Studio 2019

Are you ready for the ultimate challenge? Here it is folks, the mighty Oracle Database and the powerful Visual Studio 2019! In this article, you’ll learn how to merge these two powerhouses together to create an unstoppable force!

Step 1: Install the Oracle Database Client

Hold on tight because this is where the fun starts! Before you can even think about connecting to Oracle Database, you need to install the Oracle Database client. Brace yourself for a wild ride because this software is what allows your application to communicate with the database. It includes the Oracle Data Provider for .NET (ODP.NET), an outrageous set of classes that let you interact with the database using SQL commands. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can download the Oracle Database client from the Oracle website.

Step 2: Create a Connection String

Get ready for a hair-raising ride because now it’s time to create a connection string. A connection string is a set of parameters that provide information about the database you want to connect to. To make a connection string in Visual Studio 2019, you’ll have to use both your brain and your brawn! So, right-click on your project in the Solution Explorer and select “Add” > “New Item”. Ready for more? Select “Data” from the list of options and pick “ADO.NET Entity Data Model”. Hang on tight as you hit “Add” and choose “Generate from database”. Make sure to enter the necessary credentials for the database and select the tables you want to use in your application. Finally, select the “Connection” button to generate that connection string!

Step 3: Add the Connection String to your Application

Whoa, we’re halfway there! Now that you’ve created the connection string, it’s time to add it to your application. It’s time to put your skills to the test! Create a new heart-pumping class called “DatabaseConnection”. Define a static method called “GetConnection()” that returns a new instance of the OracleConnection class. In the method, use that connection string to create a new OracleConnection object and return it to the caller. Keep going!

Step 4: Use the OracleConnection Object to Interact with the Database

This is it, the moment you’ve all been waiting for! Once you have the OracleConnection object, you’re ready to use it to interact with the database. Are you ready? You can execute SQL commands using the OracleCommand class and retrieve data using the OracleDataReader class. For example, run this code to retrieve a list of customers from the database:


using (OracleConnection connection = DatabaseConnection.GetConnection())
{
string sql = "SELECT * FROM customers";
using (OracleCommand command = new OracleCommand(sql, connection))
{
using (OracleDataReader reader = command.ExecuteReader())
{
while (reader.Read())
{
Console.WriteLine(reader["name"]);
}
}
}
}


Conclusion

You did it! Connecting Oracle Database to Visual Studio 2019 was no easy feat, but you made it look like a piece of cake. You now have the power to build powerful applications that leverage the power of Oracle Database. Time to show off your skills and take on the world!