Defining the OLE DB interface
Using the OLE DB Database Profile
Setup
To define a connection through the OLE DB interface, you must create
a database profile by supplying values for at least the basic connection
parameters in the Database Profile Setup — OLE DB dialog box. You can
then select this profile anytime to connect to your data in the
development environment.
For information on how to define a database profile, see Using database profiles.
Specifying connection
parameters
You must supply values for the Provider and Data Source connection
parameters. Select a data provider from the list of installed data
providers in the Provider drop-down list. The Data Source value varies
depending on the type of data source connection you are making. For
example:
-
If you are using Microsoft’s OLE DB Provider for ODBC to connect
to the Demo Database, you select MSDASQL as the Provider value and
enter the actual ODBC data source name (for example, Demo Database) as
the Data Source value. -
If you are using Microsoft’s OLE DB Provider for SQL Server, you
select SQLOLEDB as the Provider value and enter the actual server name
as the Data Source value. You must also use the Extended Properties
field to provide the database name (for example, Database=Pubs) since
you might have multiple instances of a database.Note that Microsoft’s OLE DB Provider for SQL Server (SQLOLEDB)
is not maintained any more and it is not recommended to use it for new
development.Note
If you are using Microsoft OLE DB Driver for SQL Server (the
new generation of OLE DB provider for SQL Server), you should select
the MSOLEDBSQL SQL Server interface in PowerBuilder; and if you are
using SQL Server Native Client, you should select the SNC SQL Native
Client interface in PowerBuilder.
Using the Data Link API
The Data Link option allows you to access Microsoft’s Data Link API,
which allows you to define a file or use an existing file that contains
your OLE DB connection information. A Data Link file is identified with
the suffix .udl. If you use a Data Link file to connect to your data
source, all other settings you make in the OLE DB Database Profile Setup
dialog box are ignored.
To launch this option, select the File Name check box on the
Connection tab and double-click on the button next to the File Name box.
(You can also launch the Data Link API in the Database painter by
double-clicking on the Manage Data Links utility included with the OLE DB
interface in the list of Installed Database Interfaces.)
For more information on using the Data Link API, see the OLE DB
Programmer’s Guide in the Microsoft MSDN library at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms713643.aspx.