Misleading error message with Visual Database Tools in Visual Basic .NET when you connect to SQL Server (325677)

SUMMARY

If you try to use the Visual Database Tools in Visual Basic .NET Standard Edition to connect to a data source other than a Microsoft Access data source, a Microsoft Jet data source, or a Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine (MSDE) data source (for example, Microsoft SQL Server), you receive the following error message:

It is only possible to connect to SQL Server Desktop Engine databases and Access databases with this version.

This error message is misleading. You can use Microsoft ADO.NET code in Visual Basic .NET to connect to other data sources. The limitation that is described in this error message applies only to the Visual Database Tools in this edition.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about the differences between the Microsoft Visual Studio .NET editions and the individual Visual Studio .NET features, visit the following Microsoft Web sites:

Choose Your Edition
Visual Studio .NET Feature Comparison
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/howtobuy/choosing.asp

Choose Your Edition
Feature Comparison: Visual Basic .NET Standard vs. Visual Studio .NET Professional
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vbasic/howtobuy/choosing.asp

Visual Database Tools Editions
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/vdbt7/html/dvconVisualDatabaseToolsEditions.asp

What's New in Visual Database Tools
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/vdbt7/html/dvconWhatsNewInVisualDatabaseTools.asp

For additional information about how to use ADO.NET in code, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

301075 HOW TO: Connect to a Database and Run a Command by Using ADO.NET and Visual Basic .NET

313590 INFO: Roadmap for ADO.NET