In a sense, ODBC is actually mainly a database access library (API), which includes access different databases ODBC driver required. Applications to operate different types of databases, as long as the functions that ODBC supports calls to a dynamic link to a different driver.
The figure can be seen, the application calls the ODBC API (function calls), but does not directly access the database ODBC API, by exchanging information with a database driver manager. ODBC Driver Driver Manager application is passed to a dedicated call to the ODBC API (DBMS provided), and the driver After the appropriate action, return the results to the application via the driver manager.
The use of the various component parts
1. Application
ODBC API function calls, submit SQL statements to the DBMS, search results, and processed.
2.ODBC Manager
Install the ODBC driver and the registered data sources, registering a data source (database provides locations, contact information, and to establish a specific database ODBC database types and ODBC drivers, etc.) so long as the application data source name available to ODBC Administrator , ODBC management will be able to establish a connection with the corresponding database.
3. Driver Manager
Management ODBC driver, transparent to the user of a dynamic link library ODBCADM. DLL (contained in the ODBC32.DLL), a DBMS driver (such as Oracle, Foxpro, Sybase drivers, etc.) to connect a variety of DBS. ODBCADM.DLL loaded (by WINDOWS system registry to find correspondence table) ODBC-compliant interface specification of any DBMS vendor driver (DLL).
4.ODBC driver
Some nature DLL, ODBC driver viewing system installed: "Start" / "Settings" / "Control Panel" / "Administrative Tools" / "data source (the ODBC)" / "driver", as shown:
If the ODBC database driver installed in the system where you do not want ODBC drivers, such as Oracle ODBC driver, ORACLE only need to install the software, the system will automatically ORACLE driver is loaded into the corresponding ODBC driver inside.