i was trying to find a way so that i can apply the same logic but since i can't edit my dataset.Designer.vb to have all the Update function etc.,, i was thinking of creating a partial class, imports the System.Data.OracleClient, then i manually create oracledataadapters, oraclecommands, create the Update function similar to the example you had etc.. since my current dataset.Designer.vb does not have all these objects.
I think youre making more of a big deal out of it than it actually is; The designer wizard simply creates code that can be compiled by ANY vb compiler. There is no crippling of the Express VBC that makes it incapable of compiling the code I generated. TableAdapters go in a separate namespace, and there is nothing stopping you taking my dataset.Designer.vb file, renaming it, and adding it to your project as a class and just using it. Similarly, there is nothing stopping you analysing the file, and writing a program to create all the same code from a known oracle table definition (essentially you write yourself the missing part of your VB Express, namely the Dataset Designer modules that connect to oracle)
You won't succeed, i think, in shoeing the code I genned into your project in such a way that the dataset designer allows you to edit the tableadapter properties, but it is not a problem, because the xml files that define the dataset are not needed in the compilation; they merely instruct the dataset generator how to make the dataset.Designer.vb file that has all the code for the tableadapters.
Weigh up what it would cost you to create a bit of software that connects your oracle to your app; i.e. your app would link to oracle, download a table definition, create tableadapter code like the example, create dataset xml like the example and bam; you'd have a data access layer in your vb express, implemented as a couple of classes you simply add to your project
although, im not sure if this is possible. or is this not a good way to go?
thanks.
personally, I'd put my hand in my pocket and buy VS; you might be able to get an old copy of 2003 cheap and buy the upgrade (possibly also cheap) or a cheap copy of 2005 now that 2008 is out.. Have a look around. If you don't put a high value on your time, then maybe it would be more cost effective taking a weekend out to write your own oracle data access layer creator..