Microsoft released some great code today for handling the mundane, but often-repeated tasks of data access and configuration management.

The data access block allows you to replace the usual "create connection, create command, set command type, etc." code with the following statement:

SqlDataReader reader =

    ExecuteReader(connectionString, storedProcName, parameters);

There are all sorts of methods to choose from whether you need to get back a DataSet or just execute a non query.

The configuration management block looks like an easy way to save and load application configuration data. It even allows you to store the configuration options in a database, XML files, or the registry.

BTW, You can also find the application blocks on GotDotNet Workspaces, but you might have trouble finding them if you aren't logged in with a Microsoft Passport account -- for some reason, viewing the workspaces only works when you log in, otherwise it gives a workspace not found error.