In simple terms, DataSets are objects that contain internal data
tables where data is temporarily stored and is available for use by your application. DataSets are,
in essence, a local in-memory cache of data that is typically retrieved from a database. This cache
lets you work in a disconnected mode, providing the capability to make changes to the data within
the DataSet, track those changes, and save those changes back to the database when the application
reconnects.
A DataSet is a representation of the tables and relationships found in the database, exposing a
hierarchical object model made of all the objects such as tables, rows, columns, constraints, and
relationships. Much of the functionality that populates the DataSet and saves the changes within
the DataSet back to the database is found in ADO.NET.
The DataSet itself is extremely flexible and powerful. It provides the capability for applications to
efficiently work with a subset of data found in a database and to manipulate the data as needed by
the application, all while in a disconnected state, and then usher the changes back to the database.
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