title: Different ways to connect to SQL Server using Visual Studio on Mac
body: <p>I am using Visual Studio on Mac (release edition) and I want to connect to a SQL Server.</p>
  
  <p>I am aware that probably the most recommended way would be to create a web service and I understand why.</p>
  
  <p>However, I am so unsuccessful in doing it any other way. Surely a web backend is not the only way?</p>
  
  <p>I can't seem to link to the Entity Framework and the <code>System.Data.SqlClient</code> does not work either.</p>
  
  <p>Am I missing something crucial?
  I can set it up successfully in VSCode, but not when I want to create a Mac OS app.</p>
  
  <p>In both cases, I am making an app that is "mobile" on my computer.</p>
  
  <p>Setting up SQLite is not a problem, but I am after sharing data between apps - is a web service, other than just being recommended actually the only way to do this within Xamarin?</p>