Databases Reference
In-Depth Information
The main advantage of a file data source is that it can be copied to any machine, so that
identical data sources can be used by several machines. A file data source can also be
shared by more than one application.
C.4.2 Creating DSNs: The ODBC Administrator
DSNs are generally created by the user with a program called the
ODBC Administrator
.
This program is accessed by clicking on the ODBC icon in the Windows Control Panel.
The opening dialog box is shown in Figure C-2.
Once the type of DSN (User, System, or File) is chosen and the user clicks the Add
button, the dialog box in Figure C-3 is displayed, prompting the user for the name of the
driver.
Figure C-3. Choose a driver
The ODBC Administrator then calls the driver so it can display any of its dialog boxes
that request specific information required by the driver to connect to the data source.
(Thus, these dialog boxes vary from driver to driver.) After the user enters the
information, the DSN data is stored in the appropriate place (the registry or a DSN file).
C.4.3 Example DSNs
It is helpful to take a look at a few examples of DSNs created using the ODBC
Administrator.
C.4.3.1 Excel system data source
Here is an example of the registry entries for a system DSN consisting of an Excel
workbook. The DSN name is
ConnectExcel
:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ODBC\ODBC.INI\ConnectExcel]
