DataReaders versus DataSets

“When should I use a DataReader and when should I use the DataSet?”

The DataReader is a connected reader that provides a forward-only view of data. Because DataReaders are forward only, they are very fast at reading data, and therefore should be used in a majority of cases.

However, being a forward only connected reader also introduces a number of limitations. For example, if you need to support features such as paging and sorting, you will not be able to use a DataReader without adding additional custom code. If you want to use the ASP.NET Cache API to store a particular resule set for use in more than one page, you will not be able to use the DataReader.

For these cases, you should use the DataSet. In addition, if yo need to pass the data around in the component layer or if you need to modify the enclosed data before you use it, you must also use the DataSet.