The initial planning and thinking about this book began during a discussion of SQL Server futures in July 2001. The discussion was with Rob Howard during a trip to Microsoft to discuss the first book I was working on at that time. After that, I stayed involved in what was happening in ADO.NET by going to
the SQL Server Yukon Technical Preview in Bellevue, Washington, in February 2002 and by working with the ASP.NET and SQL Server teams at Microsoft since July 2003.

Shortly after the excitement of talking with Bob Elliott at Wiley about this book wore off, it became apparent that I would need to put together an author team that knew about the problems Microsoft was
trying to solve with ADO.NET Version 2. It is fortunate that I had recently been named a Microsoft MVP and an ASPInsider. Based on memberships in those groups, I was able to work with and gain the respect
of Jeremy Zongker, Ambrose Little, and Phil Winstanley. From that group, I was able to meet David Yack, William (Bill) Ryan, and Gregory Beamer. Adding these six people to John Croft and myself, we
created a really good group to work with. I want to thank them for working together very well, for working quickly, and for examining the new features that are provided by ADO.NET 2 that are of particular interest to developers and readers of this book.

Personally, I would like to thank Bob Elliott for keeping me focused on what was going on and working
with us to develop this book. Our thanks also go out to the editorial staff at Wiley. Their help keeping us
on track as “life happened” was appreciated. The work of our technical editor, Anand Narayanaswamy,
was impressive, and his attention to detail was great. Many other people behind the scenes have worked
hard on the book. By pulling this group together, Wiley created a team that was dedicated to creating the
best possible book on ADO.NET Version 2. For that, we are truly appreciative.

Wallace B. McClure and the author team