Connection speed, before all.
As i said, you can connect directly to mysql (all server versions; now i'm using 5.0.4) or, if you prefer, throw libmysql.dll or configuring ODBC (download MyODBC from MySQL.com)
I use direct connection (default one) so i don't configure ODBC on clients, nor distribute any dll; your .exe is all.
- Drug on your form 'connection component' and configure it for your database (host, user, password, databaseName); but this component has a lot of other tuning possibilities (as example: to use compression if your host is over internet, this increase a lot transfer data)
- Drug on your form 'sqlquery component', link it to 'connection component' and write your query.
- Using 'datasource component' ......
This is all the basic but there is a lot more (command query, tables, stored procedure for mysql 5.0, update query, dump, backup server, monitor server, virtual table.....)
I advice you to download trial version and try it. You will be able to use immediatly, i'm sure.
I use mydac since 2 years and i never had any problem.
I hope this can help you
Giovanni Caramia