Overview: DataDirect Connect for ODBC

The foundation of the Connect for ODBC drivers is DataDirect's high performance, market-leading wire protocol architecture. Wire protocol ODBC drivers communicate at the database's native (wire) protocol, effectively removing a communication layer and eliminating the need for database client libraries.

This document provides a broad overview of all DataDirect Connect for ODBC drivers. Topics covered in this document include:

Cross-Platform Support for ODBC Applications to All Major Databases
Wire Protocol ODBC - No Database Client Software Required
Proven, Reliable Drivers Offer Best-In-Class Functionality
Enterprise-Quality Features
All Major Databases Supported
All Major Platforms and Processor Architectures Supported

Highlights of the latest release of Connect for ODBC can be accessed here.

When you're ready to try DataDirect Connect for ODBC in your application, download an evaluation version or contact us if you need assistance in evaluating the product.

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Cross-Platform Support for ODBC Applications to All Major Databases

You can count on DataDirect Technologies for reliable ODBC connectivity regardless of database or platform. DataDirect Connect for ODBC supports all the current and most recent versions of a particular database - with a single driver. This broadens the versions of databases you can support in a commercial product and eliminates the need to change drivers every time you change database versions in an enterprise environment.

Wire Protocol ODBC - No Database Client Software Required

DataDirect Connect for ODBC drivers are available as "wire protocol," meaning that the drivers do not require installation and maintenance of database client software and libraries. This unique wire protocol architecture dramatically improves performance and eliminates the need to install and keep up with the various versions of database client libraries such as Oracle Net for Oracle 9i.

Proven even faster than programming database access using the database's native interface (such as Oracle OCI)
Reduces time testing against multiple versions of the client software
Much easier installation and administration of applications

Proven, Reliable Drivers Offer Best-In-Class Functionality

DataDirect Connect for ODBC is the most widely used third-party ODBC driver on the market. It is tested under production conditions using the most comprehensive ODBC testing facility in the industry.

DataDirect Connect for ODBC consistently supports the latest, most complete implementation of the ODBC specification and the latest database versions and features, and offers advanced functionality across all databases such as:

Built-in debugging capabilities
Extensive Unicode support
Connection failover
Client-side load balancing

Enterprise-Quality Features

Performance Tuning Wizard to automatically achieve optimal driver performance.
No need to install database client software such as Oracle Net.
Consistently supports the latest, most complete implementation of the ODBC specification, as well as a consistent level of ODBC Core, Level 1, and Level 2 functions.
Supports Operating Systems (OS) authentication for Oracle, DB2 and Sybase.
Support for Oracle data types: CLOB, BLOB, Timestamp, XML Type, and National Language character data types (NCHAR, NVARCHAR2, NCLOB).
Supports all Oracle systems including Oracle 8.1.6 and higher from a single ODBC driver.
Oracle driver is highly optimized for applications that use LOB data and PL/SQL stored procedures.
Supports new Oracle 10g Float and Double Data types. Supports Oracle RAC servers and provides connection failover and load balancing.
Oracle TNS Names support – Allows use of centralized configuration information, easing deployment maintenance.
Support for SQL Server 2005 features such as MAX data types, XML data type, Snapshot transaction isolation levels and Stored Procedures as Managed Code Assemblies.
Supports all DB2 platforms - z/OS, Windows NT, Windows 2000, UNIX and IBM AS/400 - from one driver.
DB2 driver supports multiple result sets from stored procedures, SQLDescribeParam, full BLOB/CLOB and RowID data types.
Full UNICODE support.
Supports SSL data encryption for Oracle, DB2, and Sybase.
Supports IPv6 (Internet protocol version 6) in SQL Server, DB2, Sybase, and Informix wire protocol drivers.
Connection failover support and client-side load balancing for all databases.
Microsoft DTC (Distributed Transaction Coordinator) support for Oracle, SQL Server, Sybase and Informix.
Tested under production conditions using the most comprehensive ODBC testing suites in the industry.
Built-in debugging capabilities.
File DSN support on UNIX platforms – Eases distribution and reduces management of applications across all major network platforms.