Question

We have 3 databases providers we use to connect to our databases: DB2, MS SQL, and Interbase. I would like to create a single generic database wrapper class that can be used to talk to all three just by passing in the correct connection string, username, password, and the provider desired.

I don’t want to have to add references and import all three providers in the database class. Is this possible?

I have done this before in Java using the Class.forName() function.

Answer 1

There is an abstract factory built into .NET 2.0 or later, an example of its use would be:

Dim factory As System.Data.Common.DbProviderFactory
factory = System.Data.Common.DbProviderFactories.GetFactory("System.Data.SqlClient")

Dim conn As System.Data.Common.DbConnection = factory.CreateConnection()
conn.ConnectionString = "connectionString"
conn.Open()

There are methods on DbProviderFactory like CreateCommand, CreateDataAdapter, etc.