ADO.NET is a technology used primarily for what purpose?

ADO.NET is primarily designed to facilitate the interaction between applications and relational database systems. Its main purpose is to allow developers to perform operations such as retrieving, modifying, deleting, and inserting data within relational databases. This technology provides a set of components for managing the interaction with databases, enabling seamless data manipulation and ensuring the ability to work with data in a structured format.

Using ADO.NET, developers can execute SQL commands, manage database connections, and handle datasets, which is crucial for applications that rely on database-driven functionalities. The focus on relational databases is significant, as ADO.NET includes features that leverage the relationships within these databases, allowing for effective data management in applications that require dynamic data interaction.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the primary use of ADO.NET. Non-relational storage, physical media storage solutions, and limitations to Microsoft systems do not reflect the core capabilities of ADO.NET, which is fundamentally centered on accessing and manipulating data within relational databases.