Microsoft Open Database Connectivity (ODBC)

The Microsoft Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) interface is a C programming language interface that makes it possible for applications to access data from various database management systems (DBMSs). ODBC is a low-level, high-performance interface that is designed specifically for relational data stores.

The ODBC interface allows maximum interoperability-an application can access data in diverse DBMSs through a single interface. Moreover, that application is independent of any DBMS from which it accesses data. Users of the application can add software components called drivers, which interface between an application and a specific DBMS.

Documentation

	Description
ODBC Programmer's Reference	Documentation of ODBC interfaces and methods
ODBC Data Source Administrator	The Microsoft ODBC Data Source Administrator manages database drivers and data sources
Microsoft-Supplied ODBC Drivers	Documentation for the ODBC Desktop Database Drivers, the ODBC Driver for Oracle, and the Visual FoxPro ODBC Driver
ODBC Test	Microsoft ODBC Test is an ODBC-enabled application that you can use to test ODBC drivers
ODBC Glossary	Defines terms relevant to ODBC
ODBCCONF.EXE	Describes the command-line utility for configuring drivers and data source names

Support

Information about support options can be found on the Microsoft Help and Support Web site.