While it is possible to open multiple active connections to the same data source, it is not advised. Each active connection consumes resources on both the client and the server. For example, if your application opens two active connections to a SQL Server, the server treats each connection as a separate request, even though they originated from the same application. Therefore, each connection is given equal access to the server resources. One reason that your application might open more than one connection to the same data source is that you need to use separate transaction spaces.

For more information on the effects of a connection on a server, see Understanding Performance Considerations in this chapter.

If your application requires multiple recordsets built against the same data source, ADO supports the creation of independent recordsets from the same active connection.

To see an illustration that shows the relationship of Recordset objects to Connection objects, click this icon.

For information about creating Recordset objects, see Using the Recordset Object in this chapter.