Open Data Access Network Database OLE DB Data Provider for ClearPath OS 2200

The Microsoft Universal Data Access model is a platform for developing multi-tier enterprise applications that require access to diverse relational or non-relational data sources across intranets or the Internet. The Universal Data Access model is a collection of software components that interact with each other using a common set of system-level interfaces defined by OLE DB.

Universal Data Access components consist of the data provider, data consumer and service component.

• Data Provider – any software component that exposes an OLE DB interface to a data source
• Data Consumer – a portion of system or application code that uses the data that can be returned by an OLE DB interface. Even an OLE DB component can be a data consumer, for example, a data provider that interfaces with another data provider to access data.
• Service Component – an OLE DB component that implements a common set of OLE DB functionality, such as query processing, on top of a data provider. Service components process and transform data, as contrasted with exposing data.

OLE DB interfaces provide uniform access from applications to all kinds of data without moving that data from its origin. Whereas ODBC was created to access relational databases, OLE DB is designed for relational and non-relational information sources, including mainframe ISAM, flat files, e-mail systems, spreadsheets, Web, pictures and more.

OLE DB is important because it recognizes the need for higher processing volumes than ODBC can provide. Moreover, it proves credibility to the ongoing requirement to support access to non-relational data stores.

The Network Database OLE DB Data Provider for ClearPath OS 2200 supports the mandatory interfaces, many optional interfaces and the Network Database Server (DMS) features consistent with the Microsoft OLE DB specification. Conforming to the Microsoft OLE DB 2.1 specification, it features:

• Supports OLE DB read access, update access and local transactions
• Provides read and write access to Network Database Server databases
• Integration of Network Database Server data with the full range of OLE DB-compliant tools and applications
• Interfaces to standard data consumers or service providers of other vendors
• The Data Access Administrator, a graphical user interface that enables you to configure the Data Access Windows Server and provide security for OLE DB users
• The Data Access Modeler, a graphical user interface that enables you to define Network Database Server data as rowsets accessible to OLE DB
• Extensive diagnostic facilities including error reporting, event logging, and tracing

The Network Database OLE DB Data Provider is qualified to work with the following OLE DB-compliant tools:

• Microsoft Office suite applications (through Visual Basic for Applications with ADO)
• Microsoft Access 2000 (through SQL Server 7.0 by means of an Access Project interface)
• Microsoft Visual Basic, Visual C++, Visual InterDev, or Visual Studio
• Microsoft SQL Server 7.0

The Network Database OLE DB Data Provider for ClearPath OS 2200 is included with the Enterprise Network Database Server for ClearPath OS 2200 (DMS). The Network Database OLE DB Data Provider for ClearPath OS 2200 and ODBC Access for ClearPath OS 2200 products share eight Open Data Access connection licenses, which are also included with the Enterprise Network Database Server for ClearPath OS 2200. Additional connections are available.