Dmitry,

I created a connection object that manages the connection. I connect to the database on startup and then leave it connected. I only use one connection unless I need to have a second connection to bypass a transaction for example. My connection object manages errors so if the connection times out, I will automatically reconnect and the user sees nothing. The only exception to this is a 24-7 application that is an unmanned weigh station. In that case I connect when the trucker starts a weight ticket and then disconnect when the trucker is finished.

>Do you happened to have a form, like a Customer File form or something like that, with navigating buttons (Next/Previous)? If so, how do you deal with database connection in this form (again, if you have such a thing).
>
>Thank you.
>
>>I open the connection and leave it open until I've download/upload all the data I need from the server, then I close it. with this method connectiing time is not an issue (at least not for me).
>>
>>>Dmitry,
>>>It is true that it takes a long time to connect ( I like the way they have "solved" this in .NET with the connection pool). I will follow this thread to see what other developers think, because I am interested in their response too.
>>>
>>>Einar
>>>
>>>>Einar,
>>>>I am using VFP 9. I have read it too (in some articles in CODE magazine) that this (connect and quickly disconnect) is suggested method.
>>>>But I am wondering about how practical it would be in a VFP application. I am concerned that this approach will be too slow (or maybe not), this is why I am asking for someone to share their practical experience.
>>>>
>>>>>Dmitry,
>>>>>What language are you using?
>>>>>The new way of doing things (according to M$ and ADO.NET) you should connect, get your data into a DataSet (or cursor or whatever) and then disconnect.
>>>>>Einar
>>>>>
>>>>>>I am making baby steps in creating a simple (test) form using n-tier approach. UI -> BO -> DA. That is, UI through BO asks DA for a record and displays it. As user navigates through records in the table, the cycle "UI->BO->DA" will be done quite often (possibly). The DA is where connection to SQL Server takes place.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Should I close the connection and open a new one on every call to DA or should I make the connection PUBLIC and maintain it for duration of the form being open?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Thank you for any suggestions.