' DB Connection-related objects
    Public myConnection As SqlClient.SqlConnection
    Public myCommand As SqlClient.SqlCommand
    Public myDataAdapter As SqlClient.SqlDataAdapter
    Public myDataSet As DataSet

    Public Sub ConnectToDB(myConnString As String)          ' this uses ADO technology 
        Try
            myConnection = New SqlClient.SqlConnection      ' create connection
            myConnection.ConnectionString = myConnString    ' sets connection string
            myCommand = New SqlClient.SqlCommand            ' the command represents the SQL query
            myCommand.Connection = myConnection             ' links command and connection
            myDataAdapter = New SqlClient.SqlDataAdapter    ' adapter
            myDataAdapter.SelectCommand = myCommand         ' links adapter and command
            myDataSet = New DataSet
            myConnection.Open()
        Catch ex As Exception
            MessageBox.Show("Holy Batmobile! I could not connect. This is what you gave me: " + myConnString,
                            "Connection problem!", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error)
        End Try
    End sub

    Public Sub DisconnectFromDB()
        myConnection.Close()
    End Sub