Using the OLE DB Database Profile Setup
To define a connection through the OLE DB interface, you must create a database profile by supplying values for at least the basic connection parameters in the Database Profile Setup -- OLE DB dialog box. You can then select this profile anytime to connect to your data in the development environment.
For information on how to define a database profile, see Using database profiles.
Specifying connection parameters
You must supply values for the Provider and Data Source connection parameters. Select a data provider from the list of installed data providers in the Provider drop-down list. The Data Source value varies depending on the type of data source connection you are making. For example:
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If you are using Microsoft's OLE DB Provider for ODBC to connect to the Demo Database, you select MSDASQL as the Provider value and enter the actual ODBC data source name (for example, Demo Database) as the Data Source value.
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If you are using Microsoft's OLE DB Provider for SQL Server, you select SQLOLEDB as the Provider value and enter the actual server name as the Data Source value. You must also use the Extended Properties field to provide the database name (for example, Database=Pubs) since you can have multiple instances of a database.
Using the Data Link API
The Data Link option allows you to access Microsoft's Data Link API, which allows you to define a file or use an existing file that contains your OLE DB connection information. A Data Link file is identified with the suffix .udl. If you use a Data Link file to connect to your data source, all other settings you make in the OLE DB Database Profile Setup dialog box are ignored.
To launch this option, select the File Name check box on the Connection tab and double-click on the button next to the File Name box. (You can also launch the Data Link API in the Database painter by double-clicking on the Manage Data Links utility included with the OLE DB interface in the list of Installed Database Interfaces.)
For more information on using the Data Link API, see the OLE DB Programmer's Guide in the Microsoft MSDN library at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms713643.aspx.
