dotConnect providers can be added to a project in two ways: by installing the product or by using NuGet packages. The choice depends on the project type and the .NET version you are targeting.
Two Ways to Get Assemblies
1. Installation
When you install dotConnect, assemblies for .NET Framework are placed locally and registered in the system. You can find them in:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Devart\dotConnect\MySQL\
Global Assembly Cache (GAC 2.0): C:\Windows\assembly\GAC_MSIL\
Global Assembly Cache (GAC 4.0): C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\assembly\GAC_MSIL\
2. NuGet Packages
Assemblies for .NET Standard and .NET Core (including .NET 6–9) are available via NuGet. This approach integrates easily into cross-platform development and automated build pipelines.
Which Option to Use
For .NET Framework projects, use the assemblies installed with the product.
For .NET Core and .NET 6–9 projects, use NuGet packages.
This separation ensures that the correct assemblies are referenced and that licensing requirements are applied appropriately.
Licensing
Licensing terms differ between the two approaches: