Vista Software has announced a free update to their VistaDB embedded database engine for Microsoft .NET.

According to the company this build features includes better .NET Provider performance, a powerful new managed VistaDBDataSet component for .NET that provides high-speed, low overhead live data cursors that are fully compatible with databound .NET controls including the DataGrid.

This build also includes the first 3rd party managed Membership Provider for ASP.NET 2.0. Microsoft's ASP.NET 2.0 architecture features new application services that provides a programming model that's easier for web developers to work with. The new VistaDB Membership Provider integrates with System.Web.Security.Membership and System.Web.Security.MembershipUser allowing data to be stored in a VistaDB database.

Other features include new Policy assemblies to manage VistaDB assembly versioning on developer machines, new MemoryTable functions built into the core engine for working with high-speed In-Memory databases and tables, with specific improvements for creating and saving memory databases and tables to disk easily. Key features from the previous 2.0.13 build included full support for .NET 2.0 and a new Data Provider Wizard for Visual Studio .NET 2005 ("Whidbey").

This is a free update for all registered VistaDB customers. Pricing for VistaDB 2.0 starts at US$129 for a single developer license.