Connecting to/working with SQL server

[ResidentBiscuit]

So, I have been getting into SQL and SQL Server 2008 because I feel like it's a good skillset. Anyway, I want to create a back end to some random program idea I have, and I want to be able to store and retrieve data from a database I have. How would I go about doing this?

EDIT:
Should maybe clarify, this database will be on local machine. I'm not gonna worry about networking right now. One thing at a time :D

[Texan40]

I suggest you look into using MySQL++; It's been around long enough to work out most problems and I prefer the interface to MySQL's Connector/C++.