As of MySQL 4.1, it is possible to use prepared statements with MySQL Connector/NET. Use of prepared statements can provide significant performance improvements on queries that are executed more than once.

Prepared execution is faster than direct execution for statements executed more than once, primarily because the query is parsed only once. In the case of direct execution, the query is parsed every time it is executed. Prepared execution also can provide a reduction of network traffic because for each execution of the prepared statement, it is necessary only to send the data for the parameters.

Another advantage of prepared statements is that it uses a binary protocol that makes data transfer between client and server more efficient.

To prepare a statement, create a command object and set the .CommandText property to your query.

After entering your statement, call the .Prepare method of the MySqlCommand object. After the statement is prepared, add parameters for each of the dynamic elements in the query.

After you enter your query and enter parameters, execute the statement using the .ExecuteNonQuery(), .ExecuteScalar(), or .ExecuteReader methods.

For subsequent executions, you need only modify the values of the parameters and call the execute method again, there is no need to set the .CommandText property or redefine the parameters.

[VB]

Dim conn As New MySqlConnection
Dim cmd As New MySqlCommand
  
conn.ConnectionString = strConnection

Try
   conn.Open()
   cmd.Connection = conn
 
   cmd.CommandText = "INSERT INTO myTable VALUES(NULL, ?number, ?text)"
   cmd.Prepare()

   cmd.Parameters.Add("?number", 1)
   cmd.Parameters.Add("?text", "One")

   For i = 1 To 1000
       cmd.Parameters("?number").Value = i
       cmd.Parameters("?text").Value = "A string value"

       cmd.ExecuteNonQuery()
     Next 
Catch ex As MySqlException
    MessageBox.Show("Error " & ex.Number & " has occurred: " & ex.Message, "Error", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error)
End Try
  

[C#]

MySql.Data.MySqlClient.MySqlConnection conn;
MySql.Data.MySqlClient.MySqlCommand cmd;
  
conn = new MySql.Data.MySqlClient.MySqlConnection();
cmd = new MySql.Data.MySqlClient.MySqlCommand();

conn.ConnectionString = strConnection;

try
{
    conn.Open();
    cmd.Connection = conn;

    cmd.CommandText = "INSERT INTO myTable VALUES(NULL, ?number, ?text)";
    cmd.Prepare();

    cmd.Parameters.Add("?number", 1);
    cmd.Parameters.Add("?text", "One");

    for (int i=1; i <= 1000; i++)
    {
        cmd.Parameters["?number"].Value = i;
        cmd.Parameters["?text"].Value = "A string value";

        cmd.ExecuteNonQuery();
    }
}
catch (MySql.Data.MySqlClient.MySqlException ex)
{
    MessageBox.Show("Error " + ex.Number + " has occurred: " + ex.Message,
        "Error", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error);
}