Database Engines:odbc
Database Engines odbc Getting Started Creating ODBC data sources

Creating ODBC data sources Professional

ODBC data sources are required for connecting an application program to a data source, such as an SQL database, for example. An ODBC data source is created and configured by the ODBC Data Source Administrator, a utility program accessible via the system control panel. Depending on the operating system version, the ODBC Data Source Administrator is started by double clicking the icon "ODBC", "ODBC Data Sources" or "Data Sources (ODBC)" in the control panel. As an alternative, the ODBC Data Source Administrator can be started by entering on the DOS prompt: START ODBCAD32.

The ODBC Data Source Administrator

Three different types of ODBC data sources can be defined in three tab pages. The difference between the types affects only the visibility of ODBC data sources, or who can access and use them.

User DSN

Only the current user of the computer can use this ODBC data source.

System DSN

All users having access to the computer can use this ODBC data source.

File DSN

The ODBC data source is stored in a DSN file. If the DSN file resides on a file server, the ODBC data source can be shared across an entire network.

The procedure for creating an ODBC data source is the same for all three types:

Click the Add button. A dialog window presenting a list of installed ODBC drivers appears.
Select the ODBC driver required for accessing the desired data source and click Finish. A driver-specific configuration dialog window is displayed.
Enter the symbolic name of the new ODBC data source. It is the Data Source Name by which the ODBC data source is identified lateron. If a File DSN is created, this name is also used as the DSN file name.
An optional description for the new ODBC data source can be entered.
Further configuration data may be required or different options can be selected. This depends on the ODBC driver. For example, if an SQL database is accessed, the name of the database and the name of the server computer running the DBMS may be required.
Click the Ok button when the configuration is complete. The new ODBC data source is then displayed in the tab page.
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