ODBC
To connect to a database through ODBC is a bit different from using
the databases supportred natively. You need to install a ODBC driver
for the database and then configure it to connect to your database
manager. On Windows the configuration is simple and done through the
ODBC control panel.
On Unix the configuration is done through an .odbc.ini
file. The .odbc.ini file is usually found in the home
directory of the user Challenger was started as. It can also be
specified in the ODBCINI environment variable.
.odbc.ini
The .odbc.ini file can contain configurations for several
databases. The syntax is as follows:
[name]
Driver = path
option = value
...
Name is the name you give the database. Driver is the
path to the ODBC driver, in form of a dynamic library. Option
is various options that will be forwarded to the driver. Which options
are available differ between different drivers. Usually the location
of the database manager and maybe the name and password of the
database user.
An example of a .odbc.ini file:
[toronto_wp]
# white page of metro Toronto
Driver = /usr/lib/odbc/oracle.so
<....>
[netnews]
# NNTP netnews group
Driver = /usr/lib/odbc/nnodbc.so
Server = news.empress.com
[rnd_test]
# data source for R&D test
Driver = /home/r_d/odbc/empodbc.so
URL = empodbc://rnd.empress.com:6322/rnd_test/testdb
Database URL
The database URL for a database reached through ODBC is
odbc://name/, where name is the name given the
database in the .odbc.ini file or the ODBC control panel.
It is possible to supply the database user and password in the
database URL as well, or put them in the .odbc.ini file.
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