---
title: "What is difference between dataset and datareader ?"  
description: "What is difference between dataset and datareader ?"  
author: "Manish Kumar"  
published: 2017-06-03  
updated: 2020-09-17  
canonical: https://www.mindstick.com/interview/23258/what-is-difference-between-dataset-and-datareader  
category: "c#"  
tags: ["c#", "asp.net"]  
reading_time: 1 minute  

---

# What is difference between dataset and datareader ?

**DataReader-**It is used to fetch/read data from a database in a much faster way. Since the rows are fetched one at a time, load on the network will be low. Since DataReader is read only,.Since it support forward only data iteration, random data fetch is not supported.\

**DataSet –** it is an in-memory representation of a table in a database. Dataset takes lot of application memory compared to DataReader. It is slower compared to DataReader. It also support querying.

## Answers

### Answer by Manish Kumar

**DataReader-**It is used to fetch/read data from a database in a much faster way. Since the rows are fetched one at a time, load on the network will be low. Since DataReader is read only,.Since it support forward only data iteration, random data fetch is not supported.\

**DataSet –** it is an in-memory representation of a table in a database. Dataset takes lot of application memory compared to DataReader. It is slower compared to DataReader. It also support querying.


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Original Source: https://www.mindstick.com/interview/23258/what-is-difference-between-dataset-and-datareader

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