Stop writing connection management code every time you access the database

/*
 * AMS.ADO Class Library
 * Version 1.0
 * 
 * Written by Alvaro Mendez
 * Copyright (c) 2005. All Rights Reserved.
 * 
 * The AMS.ADO namespace contains ICommand interface.
 * 
 * The code is thoroughly documented, however, if you have any questions, 
 * feel free to email me at alvaromendez@consultant.com.  Also, if you 
 * decide to this in a commercial application I would appreciate an email 
 * message letting me know.
 *
 * This code may be used in compiled form in any way you desire. This
 * file may be redistributed unmodified by any means providing it is 
 * not sold for profit without the authors written consent, and 
 * providing that this notice and the authors name and all copyright 
 * notices remains intact. This file and the accompanying source code 
 * may not be hosted on a website or bulletin board without the author's 
 * written permission.
 * 
 * This file is provided "as is" with no expressed or implied warranty.
 * The author accepts no liability for any damage/loss of business that
 * this product may cause.
 *
 * Last Updated: Dec. 22, 2005
 */

using System;
using System.Data;

namespace AMS.ADO
{
    /// <summary>
    ///   Generic representation of an SQL command to be executed against a database. </summary>
    public interface ICommand : IDbCommand
    {
        #region Properties

        /// <summary>
        ///   Gets or sets the connection string to use when connecting to the 
        ///   database where the command will be executed. </summary>
        string ConnectionString
        {
            get;
            set;
        }

        #endregion // Properties

        #region Execute Methods

        /// <summary>
        ///   Opens a temporary database connection, executes the query, and 
        ///   returns the results inside a DataSet object. </summary>
        /// <param name="tables">
        ///   The array of names of the source tables to use for table mapping. </param>
        /// <returns>
        ///   The return value is a DataSet object. </returns>
        DataSet ExecuteDataSet(params string[] tables);

        /// <summary>
        ///   Opens a temporary database connection, executes the query, and 
        ///   appends the results to a DataSet object. </summary>
        /// <param name="ds">
        ///   The DataSet object to be filled with the results of the cmd. </param>
        /// <param name="tables">
        ///   The array of names of the source tables to use for table mapping. </param>
        /// <returns>
        ///   The return value is the same DataSet object passed in as a parameter. </returns>
        DataSet ExecuteDataSet(DataSet ds, params string[] tables);

        /// <summary>
        ///   Calls <see cref="IDbCommand.ExecuteScalar" /> and casts the result to a string. </summary>
        /// <returns>
        ///   The return value is the first column of the first row in the result set
        ///   converted to a string.  If the first column of the first row is DBNull.Value, the return
        ///   value is an empty string.  If the result set is empty, the return value is null. </returns>
        string ExecuteString();

        /// <summary>
        ///   Calls <see cref="IDbCommand.ExecuteScalar" /> and casts the result to an int. </summary>
        /// <returns>
        ///   The return value is the first column of the first row in the result set
        ///   cast to an int.  If the first column of the first row is DBNull.Value or cannot be
        ///   converted to an int, the return value is 0.  If the result set is empty, 
        ///   the return value is 0.  </returns>
        int ExecuteInt();

        #endregion // Execute Methods
    }
}