ODBC Access to Archived Data

Database client technologies such as ODBC (Open Data Base Connectivity) provide a uniform interface for writing client software for relational databases.

Archive has an ODBC driver that allows you to access data in an Archive File programmatically. Note that the Archive ODBC driver is not available for a UNIX or Linux environment. With the ODBC interface, you can integrate your archiving strategy into your production environment, complete with the ability to browse and restore archived data, as necessary. Archive Files registered in an Archive Directory in any accessible Optim™ Directory can be processed using ODBC. As you develop your archiving strategy, it is important to consider these key points:

To use the ODBC interface, you must create a Data Source to identify the Archive File you will access. You can use the Windows ODBC Data Source Administrator to create a Data Source. Specifications for the Data Source are entered on the ODBC Source Data Default Specification dialog. Data Source criteria provide information needed to select an Archive File as identified by group, server, or creator. You can also include a reference to a parameter file in a Data Source, to identify an Archive File using more specific criteria (for example, the Archive File creation date, or the name of an archived table included in the Archive File). Connection string parameters can be used in conjunction with a Data Source, depending on the application interface.

You may have several Data Sources for the Archive File Driver.

For example, you could create a data source to use for creating reports. The data source could be saved with the information required to create the desired report, except the specific Archive File identifier, which could be provided programmatically at runtime.

You could create another to provide supplementary information to the user of an application during daily transactions. The parameters saved for this type of data source might be less specific, relying on connection call parameters or parameter file overrides to retrieve the desired Archive File data at runtime.

You can report on retrieved rows using your application software, or commercial software, including, but not limited to, Business Objects Crystal Reports, Microsoft Access, and Microsoft Visual Basic.

Installation and Configuration

ODBC Application Programming Interface (API) software is included as part of Windows 2000, Windows NT and Windows XP. If you are using an older version of Windows, you can load the necessary ODBC software from the installation CD. Refer to the Installation and Configuration Guide for complete information.