Open Database Connectivity (ODBC)
Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) technology provides a common interface for accessing heterogeneous SQL databases. ODBC is based on Structured Query Language (SQL) as a standard for accessing data. This interface provides maximum interoperability: a single application can access different SQL Database Management Systems (DBMS) through a common set of code. This enables a developer to build and distribute a client/server application without targeting a specific DBMS. Database drivers are then added to link the application to the user's choice of DBMS.
ODBC's flexibility is illustrated by the following features:
- Applications are not tied to a proprietary vendor API.
- SQL statements can be explicitly included in source code or constructed on the fly at run time.
- An application can ignore the underlying data communications protocols.
- Data can be sent and received in a format that is convenient to the application.
- ODBC is designed in conjunction with the emerging international ISO Call- Level Interface standard.
- There are ODBC database drivers available for over 50 of the most popular databases.