Describe the difference between a Data Reader and a DataSet

- Data Reader is used to read the data from the database and it is a read and forward only connection oriented architecture while fetching data from database. DataReader fetches data faster as compared to dataset. Usually ExecuteReader object is used to bind data to DataReader.

- DataSet is a disconnected oriented architecture i.e. active connections are not required while working with datasets. DataSet is a collection of DataTables and relations between tables. It is used to hold multiple tables with data. DataSet can hold data from tables, views. Data in dataset can be saved in XML format.