Use only dataset and mysqladapter ...this is so easy to retrieve a data from mysql database...
example:
Public ds As Dataset
Public da As MysqlAdapter
ds = New Dataset
da = New MysqlAdapter("here should be the sql query to retrieve data", MysqlConnectionString)
da.Fill(ds, "here should be the table name of query")
MsgBox("Success")
You can create you custom function by including my code block to any named function you want just remember > Return value will be "ds" that means Dataset,,,,
Enjoy Programming,,, :)