3.4 Changes in MySQL Connector/NET 8.1.0 (2023-07-18, General Availability)

MySQL Connector/NET 8.1.0 is a new GA release version that supersedes the 8.0 series, and is recommended for use on production systems. This release can be used against MySQL Server version 5.7 and later.

Deprecation and Removal Notes

Previously, mysql.proc was used as a way of speeding up queries for procedures and parameters. Starting with MySQL 8.0, the mysql.proc table is no longer available and the connector now uses information_schema. (WL #15643, WL #15644, WL #15654)
Support to install Connector/NET through MySQL Installer is removed. The preferred method is to install Connector/NET using NuGet packages for full functionality, or the standalone MSI file for base-level functionality (see Installing Connector/NET on Windows). (WL #15795)
Connector/NET no longer supports the following discontinued standard and frameworks:
- .NET Core 3.1 and 5.0
- EF Core 3.1 and EF Core 5.0
(WL #15797)

Packaging Notes

Connector/NET now provides the MySQL.Data.OpenTelemetry NuGet package that implements OpenTelementry.Api and adds the AddConectorNet extension method to TraceProviderBuilder, which sets the connector as a source of application-specific telemetry that client application code emits. For details, see Enabling OpenTelemetry Tracing. (WL #15707)

X DevAPI Notes

Application developers must now ensure the availability of the ZstdSharp.Port library at run time when using the noinstall packages (NuGet packages provide the dependency). This implementation replaces the bundled implementation of the zstd compression algorithm, which was deactivated in Connector/NET 8.0.33. (WL #15708)

Bugs Fixed

Queries using the MySql.Data.MySqlClient.MySqlConnection class did not connect as expected if the connector was installed using the MSI file. This fix now adds System.Threading.Tasks.Extensions and System.CompilerServices.Unsafe DLLs to the MSI file for inclusion into the GAC. (Bug #35360846)
Some DLL files in NuGet and No Install packages were unsigned. (Bug #35052869)
MySqlParameter.Clone could return a MySqlParameter object with a MySqlDbType value that differed from the original, rather than preserving the original type. (Bug #109682, Bug #34993796)
MySqlParameter.MySqlDbType, if set to MySqlDbType.Int24, emitted an error similar to Out of range value for column 'data' at row 1 when a prepared statement was executed and the parameter value was a negative number. (Bug #108756, Bug #34694519)