DataSet holds information about the results, schema information also and allows editing of the table directly, then finally being able to commit changes to the database using the DataAdapter.

A SqlDataReader is different, it is a fast forward only reader bringing back the results from SQL, just the values itself, nothing about the Schema information or anything hence why its faster than doing a Fill() on a dataset using a SqlDataAdapter.

SqlDataReader is ideal if you just need to get values without caring about the data types and relationships etc...

DataSet can also be used to bind to a databindable component, having the ability to modify the data that exists in the dataset datatable.

does this answer your question? didn't quite understand what you were asking

Right the DataReader gets the Values from SQL and thats it... but can u get just the values from the collection of data in the Datset...Like if i use the datareader to get a value how would i get that value if i was using the Dataset is really what i meant....

like this value using a dataset.tables.rows??? Now this is assign the _Date property from the object myCustomerote to dataSet.Tables.Rows[0]["Date"] is that the same thing as giving it just the value but using the dataset instead of the Datareader???

myCustomerNote._Date = (DateTime)ds.Tables[0].Rows[0]["Date"];

not quite sure I follow. Again, the datareader just reads data, and you handle how you want to deal with that data that has been read. the datareader doesn't care about anything else (nor should it) - its a quick fast job "in and out". For advanced features, you would use a DataAdapter, for example, to fill the results into a dataset.

If you mean, you want to add values into a dataset using the DataReader, you could do so however you would be writing alot more code, creating rows, columns, setting the datatype etc... - this is where the DataAdapter comes in handy as it does everything for you pretty much.

I see you edited your response whilst I was typing :-)

Well to get the value from a dataset with already populated values, a datareader at this point has nothing to do with anything. in your example, that is the way you would get a value from a dataset/datatable from a specific row and column, and then assign it to a property of your choice.