The ADO.NET Entity Framework - Not Just For SQL Server!

As you're hopefully aware, Beta 3 of the ADO.NET Entity Framework is already available. If not, see the ADO.NET team blog here.

You may not be aware of the various ADO.NET provider writers who are publicly pledging their support for the Entity Framework. You can read the entire press release, including information about ADO.NET Data Services (formerly Project Astoria) and ASP.NET 3.5 Extensions here. In terms of third party provider involvement, here are the highlights:

Providers Targeting Publicly Available Versions Within Three Months of RTM

· Core Lab - Providing connectivity to Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL and SQLite databases

· IBM - Providing connectivity to both IBM DB2 data server and Informix Dynamic Server (IDS) databases

· MySQL AB - Providing connectivity to MySQL databases

· Npgsql - Providing connectivity to PostgreSQL database versions 7.3+ and 8.x

· OpenLink Software - Providing connectivity to Oracle, Informix, Ingres, Sybase, MySQL, PostgreSQL, DB2, Progress and Microsoft SQL Server databases, and any data source accessible via OpenLink ODBC or JDBC bridge drivers

· Phoenix Software International - Providing connectivity to SQLite databases

· Sybase - Providing connectivity to SQL Anywhere databases

· VistaDB Software - Providing connectivity to VistaDB databases

* - The providers in the list above are also working towards publicly available versions of their providers to work with Beta 3 of the Entity Framework.

Providers Targeting Publicly Available Versions in 2008

· DataDirect Technologies - Providing connectivity to multiple data stores including Oracle, Sybase, Microsoft SQL Server and DB2 via DataDirect Connect® for ADO.NET

· Firebird - Providing connectivity to Firebird databases

If you're writing an ADO.NET provider for the Entity Framework and you're not already in touch with me, please drop me a line at David (dot) Sceppa (at) microsoft (dot) com.

David Sceppa

ADO.NET Program Manager

Microsoft Corporation