Microsoft ODBC Overview

The Microsoft® Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) interface is an industry standard and a component of the Microsoft® Windows® Open Services Architecture (WOSA).

The ODBC interface makes it possible for applications to access data from a variety of database management systems (DBMSs). The ODBC interface permits maximum interoperability — an application can access data in diverse DBMSs through a single interface. Furthermore, that application will be independent of any DBMS from which it accesses data. Users of the application can add software components called drivers, which interface between an application and a specific DBMS.

For information about support for Microsoft data access components, see the Getting Help from Microsoft Technical Support page.

ODBC 3.51 Programmer's Reference

The ODBC Programmer’s Reference introduces the ODBC architecture and explains how to write ODBC drivers and applications that use ODBC. It also explains how to use the ODBC setup, installation, and administration programs in conjunction with your drivers or applications. And, it contains the ODBC API Reference, which alphabetically lists all functions in the ODBC API and describes each in detail.

Please see the Web page for the ODBC Release Notes at http://www.microsoft.com/data/odbc/.

ODBC Data Source Administrator

The ODBC Administrator manages database drivers and data sources. The Administrator is available as a Control Panel device on workstations running the Windows NT® or Windows 95 operating system and from the workstation desktop. For more information of the ODBC Data Source Administrator, see ODBC Data Source Administrator.

ODBC Drivers

Drivers are libraries that implement the functions in the ODBC API. Each is specific to a particular DBMS. In most cases, drivers expose the capabilities of the underlying DBMSs; they are not required to implement capabilities not supported by the DBMS. For more information about the ODBC drivers, see ODBC Drivers .

ODBC Test Tools

ODBC Test is an interactive utility that enables you to perform ad hoc and standardized testing on drivers. For an overview followed by detailed documentation, see the ODBC Test Overview.

The Connection Pooling Test is a program to test connection pooling. It shows how to enable connection pooling, and gives a quick feel of what connection pooling might do compared to nonpooling code. Connection Pooling can be accessed from the Data Source Administrator. For more information of the ODBC Data Source Administrator, see ODBC Data Source Administrator.

Programmatic tracing can also be accessed from the Data Source Administrator. Included under the Tracing tab is the ability to enable Visual Studio Analyzer. For more information of the ODBC Data Source Administrator, see ODBC Data Source Administrator.

ODBC Samples

The samples listed below are located in the \samples\Odbc directory. Executable sample files are copied to the \Bin\Odbc directory. Samples are provided to help you write a general-purpose ODBC-enabled application or test ODBC performance. For more information about each sample, see the ODBC Samples Overview or the ODBC Test Overview.

Quick Test is a C-language DLL written for ODBC Test, which may be compiled for either Unicode or ANSI. It contains a set of test cases that cover basic areas of ODBC driver conformance. Driver writers can use it as a basis for writing automated acceptance tests for ensuring their drivers conform to the ODBC standard. A source code template (Custom.c) is also provided to help you write an autotest DLL that will work with ODBC Test.
SQL Query is a simple C-language program that demonstrates multiple simultaneous connections using ODBC. It enables you to type any SQL query and browse the results.
Sample Driver is a C-language sample that consists of a pure skeleton driver that contains all the function calls and necessary exports to write a driver for this version of ODBC. Every function does nothing but return SQL_SUCCESS. This sample demonstrates what functions to export, and what flags should be used in compilation.
The Connection Pooling Enabling sample is a simple C-language program that demonstrates how to enable connection pooling in an application.
The Convert DSN sample is a simple C-language program that demonstrates creating file DSN pointers to machine DSNs by using SQLWriteFileDSN and SQLDataSources.
The command-line interpreter is a C-language program that displays the results of each entered command.
The Trace sample is a C-language DLL that ships as the standard Trace DLL in this version of ODBC. This can be used as a basis for creating a custom Trace DLL to provide more or different functionality than the standard one.

Documentation

Some of the print and online documentation has been reworked for this version of ODBC. Many user-suggested corrections and changes have been implemented. Most technical questions can be answered by reading the appropriate sections of the Microsoft ODBC Programmer’s Reference. For information about specific documentation in this SDK, refer to the following table.

For help with	See
ODBC	ODBC Programmer’s Reference
Sample Programs	ODBC Samples
ODBC Test	ODBC Test Tools
ODBC Administrator	ODBC Data Source Administrator Overview
Release Notes	http://www.microsoft.com/data/odbc/
ODBC Drivers	ODBC Drivers Overview
ODBC SQL Server Driver	ODBC SQL Server Driver Help (\System32\Drvssrvr.hlp for Windows NT, and \System\Drvssrvr.hlp for Windows 95)

For information about the Data Access SDK, see the "Data Access SDK Overview."

All Help files use the following typographic conventions.

Format	Used for
`SELECT * FROM`	Uppercase letters indicate SQL statements, macro names, and terms used at the operating-system command level.
`RETCODE SQLFetch(hdbc)`	This font is used for sample command lines and program code.
argument	Italicized words indicate either information that the user or the application must provide, or word emphasis.
SQLEndTran	Bold type indicates that syntax must be typed exactly as shown, including function names.
[ ]	Brackets indicate optional items; if in bold text, brackets must be included in the syntax.
\|	A vertical bar separates two mutually exclusive choices in a syntax line.
{}	Braces delimit a set of mutually exclusive choices in a syntax line; if in bold text, braces must be included in the syntax.
...	An ellipsis indicates that arguments can be repeated several times.
. . .	A column of three dots indicates continuation of previous lines of code.

Support

ODBC Web Sites

Information about using the ODBC SDK is provided through the following Microsoft Internet Web site:

Microsoft ODBC Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/data/odbc/.
Microsoft ODBC newsgroup: a listing of newsgroups can be found on the ODBC Web site.