>1. can i set the date format at sql server for a particular application.
> like informix supports application wise setting of date format.
> is there any way???

You can set it for the whole server by using the regional settings on the server. But ... I always keep date in the server under the SQL default, I always give the date as YYY/MM/DD format, and when I need to display the date, I normally use the user's regional settings (using format(date,"short date")). There should be no problem on this. Stocking data is different from displaying it!

>2. what would you suggest if i've to choose between populating data combo using
> ADODC and populating combo through coding and why ?

When I have a numeric key and a description, and I show the description but want to keep the key hidden, I populate combos myself and I use the ItemData property to store the key.