Data Set is a connectionless service and Data reader is a connection oriented service. Dataset is used to store the data, it contains collections of Datatable. Datareader is used to connect to the database for retrieving data.
Data Reader - Forward only where as Dataset - Can loop through dataset.
Data Reader - Connected Recordset where as DataSet - Disconnected Recordset
Data Reader - Less Memory Occupying where as DataSet - It occupies more memory
Data Reader - Only Single Table can be used where as Dataset - Datatable Concept allows data to be stored in multiple tables.
Data Reader - Read only where as DataSet - Can add/update/delete using the dataset
Data Reader - No relationship can be maintained where as DataSet - Relationship can be maintained.
Data Reader - No Xml Storage available where as DataSet - Can be stored as XML.
The Dataset is a core of disconnected architecture. Disconnected architecture means once you have retrieved the data from the database the data source is dropped. The disconnected data become very commonly. The dataset for the disconnected data from the Dataset object. The DataReader is a readonly, forward only stream from the database. While using the datareader can improve the application performance reduces the system overhead because only one buffer row at a time in memory.
Shashi Ray