What is the SQL Native Client?

I got my hands on the Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Beta, or more specifically the April CTP (Community Technology Preview).

One of the new features for clients in this release is the SQL Native Client, which is a new client library for unmanaged (native) Win32 applications.

This new feature combines the OLE DB provider and the ODBC driver into a single DLL, and to update it, you don't need to update the whole MDAC library.

The DataWorks WebLog describes this new client nicely.

To summarize for application developers:

• If you want to access the new features of SQL Server 2005 from Win32, you will need the SQL Native Client.
• If you just want to access data on a SQL Server 2005 you will not need the SQL Native Client.
• If you are writing .NET applications, you should use ADO.NET as normal. You can also use the new features if you want to.

For Delphi programmers this new client is easy to use, you just need to change your TADOConnection component's connection string to point to the new native client.