Database Connectivity
This dialog opens to allow you to connect to a data file or database.
The database connectivity dialog has three tabs:
File - provides database access to flat and file based database tables. Use this tab to navigate through the file system to connect to DBase, FoxPro, MS Access, Excel, text files, etc. Use this option for fixed length files also called positional files.
OLEDB - OLEDB is a standard way to access different database systems, which expose their functionality through OLEDB providers. Use this tab to connect to a number of relational databases such as SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, DB2 and many others. An OLEDB provider for a particular database should be installed n your computer in order to use OLEDB connectivity. The OLEDB providers tree is located on the left side of the OLEDB tab. It shows all the available OLEDB providers and enumerators on your computer. If you have added a new driver and you don't see it on the list, hit F5 to refresh the list.
ODBC - ODBC is another (older) standard to access relational and flat database systems. ODBC drivers can provide access to the same databases as OLEDB (SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, DB2, etc.). ODBC drivers tree is located on the left side of the ODBC tab. It shows all the ODBC data sources available on your computer. Use "ODBC Data Source Administrator" from the Administrative tools on your computer to create new and modify existing ODBC connections. If you have added a new driver and you don't see it on the list, hit F5 to refresh the list.
You can also work with data sources in script and externally through the API (available in the Professional Edition and above):
Data object - an object delivering the basic database access functionality (table creation, record set navigation, record's values modification etc.)
Data object creator - has the same capabilities as data object, but also allows the modification and creation of the table or file. Data Object Creator provides a user interface to define the structure for a new table or file.
Data source - is a sub-object of a data object, but can be instantiated independently, provides database connection information and allows running of SQL commands against the connected database resource.