ODBC?

[Smitty]

Just browsing Control Panel entries and opened following entry:
ODBC Data Source Administrator
Main Window Headings
User DSN--System DSN--File DSN--Drivers--Tracing--Connection Pooling--About

I visited Microsoft KB and was overwhelmed with the response to simple "ODBC" query. Also not sure I have time, intelligence, or ambition to pursue same. Briefly then can anyone sum up my questions?

1. Does ODBC Data Source Administrator allow a connection between our machine and remote sites automatically?
Reason:Paranoia...Adaptec music entry leads me to believe we are linked.
2. If so, can we disable that connection and not lose system funtionality?
Reason:Just another unused element that can fail.
3. If not, and we don't maintain any "access,excel,foxpro,..etc databases", can we remove it?
Reason:Self Evident
4. Is there a "layman's" explanation for its existence?
Reason:Obviously the HELP files explanation used a jargon we are not familiar with.
5. Does anyone use this on a home user basis or is it mainly an industry/office/network tool?
Reason: If it is a good thing why delete it?

Thanks in advance

Smitty

[RWSchlatter]

Let me try and give you an answer and first a short intro (simplified):

ODBC is an interface that allows applications to connect to databases.
Initially designed for MS own databases, with the proper ODBC driver at the database end, it now can connect to other relational databases of other vendors and J even know of non-relational databases. Language to be used on this interface for database access is SQL. For an application to access this interface there is an API to be used. Technically ODBC is a COM component on MS platforms. Consider ODBC an integrated part of the Windows operating systems - everyone expects it to be there ("everyone" -> application developers).

(1) ODBC Admin tool
The application does not need to know where the database lives, it just gives it a connection name. The Admin tool will collect the adressing information in a small database. This information may also be set during installing applications (or any time after).

This database is used by ODBC at run time when it needs to find the data storage. The admin tool does not itself open net connections. But cause the information is there, once an application wishes to connect to its database, the ODBC run time will know where to look without further questions.

As far as Adaptec is concerned, you probably (once) installed the cd writer software, and it lets you pick track information for audio cd content from the net. This is probably the definition for this database. Other explanation: may be the definition to the user registration database.

(2) disable a connection
as far as J remember, you can only delete an entry, not disable it. You do not loose system functionality but application functionality, cause it cannot connect to its target database. Write down the information you see, so you can re-enter it if needed.

3. You could, but not recommended. You would have to re-install MSOffice to get these entries back. Leave cause they don't hurt you.

Apart from explicit MSAccess databases, there are also applications that use the Jet database engine internally and may use ODBC locally. And do you really know if nobody is using what Excel calls its "databases".

(4) Hope the intro paragraph gave the answer.

(5) ODBC is probably not widely used in a home environment.
If you are asking whether to delete the admin tool or not: keep it.

______________
Regards - Richard

[Smitty]

Hi Richard

Thanks for the translation of what I was attempting to find out at MKB.
I will read it again but you have answered all my questions for the time being.
As per your recommendation I will retain it.

Thanks again for your time and effort.

BTW..re: IE 5.5SP2 and difficulties with this forum.. I attempted to access Corel
website today and a Microsoft 'intercept message'? disconnected me, apologized
and informed me that it wanted to send an "error" report so I think my new
browser is contributing to that problem.

My regards to the Moderators, gurus, and all posters..

Coolsights..check this site out
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.computerstuff.net/prox/>click here</a>

Smitty

<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by Smitty on 08/19/01 08:43.</FONT></P>