When to use IDataReader and when to use DataReader?

I know that

IDataReader

is the interface and

DataReader

is the concrete type but I still don't know when to use each one. I need to iterate through the data which is possible using both

Datareader

and

IDataReader

. Is there a better way to decide when to use the interface or the concrete type?

Ehsan

Answer Source

SqlDataReader and all other data providers implement IDataReader. If you think that you may change the provider from sql to oracle or something else in future then use IDataReader. You will have the luxury of changing that without changing your code where you have used IDataReader. Else you can use SqlDataReader. But if you use IDataReader it will be a decoupled design and is recommeneded.

When to use IDataReader and when to use DataReader?

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