ADO.NET handles most of the database communication for you behind-thescenes. You would only use SQL statements when generating ad-hoc queries for the database. You execute SQL statements by using a DataCommand object. Statements the return records, such as SELECT statements, are executed using the ExecuteQuery method. You can also return a single value with a SELECT statement by using the ExecuteScalar method. To execute non-value returning statements, such as DELETE, INSERT INTO, or UPDATE statements, use the ExecuteNonQuery method.