Server Connectivity Reusable Code: VBODBC

VBODBC is a Visual Basic library that provides an easy method of accessing data from an ODBC data source. It has the following characteristics:

• Maintains all database handles internally

• Supports asynchronous query execution (if the driver supports it), so the user can perform tasks in other applications while the server is processing

• A global error buffer, VBODBC_LastErr, containing detailed information regarding the last ODBC error

• Supports only one open database and one open SQL statement per client per application at a time

• Has been tested only with SQL Server and Microsoft Access

• It also includes all ODBC constant and function declarations

Files

1. VBODBC.BAS Visual Basic module

2. VBODBC1.FRM Visual Basic logon form

3. VBODBC2.FRM Visual Basic query executing form

Function APIs

1. VBODBC_OpenDatabaseDialog() - Establishes an ODBC database connection, prompting the user for connection information.

2. VBODBC_OpenSqlStmt() - Executes a SQL statement.

3. VBODBC_GetNextRow() - Retrieves another row of the SQL statement's result set. The row is retrieved into a variant array parameter, with each element corresponding to the equivalent column number. Element 0 contains all column values separated by tabs.

4. VBODBC_CloseSqlStmt() - Closes the SQL statement.

5. VBODBC_CloseDatabase() - Closes the database connection.

VBODBC Function Flow Chart

Instructions

1. Add VBODBC.BAS, VBODBC1.FRM, VBODBC2.FRM to your project.

2. Verify that you have a proper ODBC data source configured.

3. Follow the function flowchart within your code. Note that only one SQL statement and one database connection can be active at a time, so that you don't have to maintain any handles.

4. Inspect the global structure VBODBC_LastErr if you encounter an error.

5. Inspect the global structure VBODBC_ColDesc for a description of the last SQL statements columns.