Know about OLE DB and ODBC Drivers - by Dinesh Kumar Sivaji

Email​: Dineshcse86@gmail.com

Know about OLE DB and ODBC Microsoft Drivers

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*How to Decide Which Driver to Choose ODBC/OLE DB*
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*What is ODBC?*
● It is called as Open DataBase Connectivity and introduced by Microsoft.
● It allows access to information from a wide range of databases (e.g., MS Access, Oracle)
and performing queries via SQL.

*What is OLE DB?*

It is called Object Linking and Embedding Database and was introduced by Microsoft.

*Why this driver was introduced?*

● It allows access to information from a wide range of databases (e.g., MS Access,
Oracle).
● It also provides universal data integration over an enterprise's network, from mainframe
to desktop regardless of the data type.

*What is the Difference between ODBC and OLE DB?*

● ODBC is designed to provide access primarily to SQL data in a multi-platform
environment.
● OLE DB is designed to provide access to all types of data in an OLE Component Object
Model (COM) environment.

*What is COM?*
● COM is a platform-independent, distributed, object-oriented system developed by
Microsoft for creating binary software components that can interact.
● In short, applications to be built from binary software components.
● It is the foundation for higher-level software services, like those provided by OLE

*Where COM is applicable?*

It can be created with a variety of programming languages

*Why OLE DB is better than ODBC?*

OLE DB is a more generalized and more efficient strategy for data access than ODBC, because
it allows access to more types of data and is based on the Component Object Model (COM).

*Advantage of OLE DB over ODBC:*

 Know about OLE DB and ODBC Drivers - by Dinesh Kumar Sivaji
Email​: Dineshcse86@gmail.com

OLE DB includes the SQL functionality defined in ODBC but also defines interfaces suitable for
gaining access to data other than SQL data.

*Drawback of ODBC:*
A query generated via ODBC is functionally similar to a query generated by OLE DB. However,
be aware that if you generate a query (via STATISTICA Query) using an ODBC connection,
STATISTICA uses OLE DB to connect to the ODBC connection. Because there is an
intermediate connection, ODBC queries may be slower than OLE DB queries.

*​Conclusion:​*
*Best DRIVER to use EXCEL as database is OLEDB.*

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*Supported OLE DB Database Platforms*
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● Microsoft Access
● Microsoft Excel
● Microsoft SQL Server
● Oracle (Special integration required)
● General OLE DB Provider
● Universal Data Link (UDL) File
● IBM Informix

*What are the types of OLE DB Drivers Available?*

(1) Microsoft ACE OLE DB 12.0
(2) Microsoft Jet OLE DB 4.0

*What is the purpose of the above mentioned Microsoft OLE DB Drivers?*

All are interface engines that connect to Excel objects

*How to choose which Microsoft OLE DB to be used for Excel?*

For different versions of Excel, there are two interfaces (JET/ACE) to choose.

*Excel Compatibilities*
(a) The Jet engine can access office 97-2003, but you cannot access office 2007.
(b) The ACE engine is a database connectivity component that is published with Office 2007,
and you can access both Office 2007 or office 97-2003 versions.

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 Know about OLE DB and ODBC Drivers - by Dinesh Kumar Sivaji
Email​: Dineshcse86@gmail.com

*What is the advantage of ACE over JET?*

Additionally:microsoft.ace.oledb.12.0 can access the Excel file that is being opened , and
microsoft.jet.oledb.4.0 is not possible.

*PLEASE NOTE*
★ If you want to access an ​opened excel ​then prefer only ACE OLEDB.
★ Microsoft Jet OLE DB 4.0 is not support for 64bit OS

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​Download
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Microsoft ACE OLE DB 12.0:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/download/details.aspx?id=13255