What is the difference between a forward-only cursor and a static cursor in ADO.NET?

Short answer: Forward-only cursor: A cursor that allows you to read rows sequentially in a forward direction only.

Explain a bit more

It is fast and lightweight, but you cannot go back to previous rows. Static cursor: A cursor that allows both forward and backward navigation. It provides a snapshot of the data and remains unchanged even if the data in the database changes during the operation. It is slower and consumes more memory compared to a forward-only cursor.

Real-world example (ShopNest)

ShopNest’s reporting job still uses ADO.NET for a heavy SQL query where raw performance and stored procedures matter more than EF convenience.

Say this in the interview

1. Define — one clear sentence (the short answer above).
2. Example — relate it to a project like ShopNest or your real work.
3. Trade-off — when you would not use it.