ODBC, JDBC, or OLE DB Access to ISAM File Databases

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Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) compliant access to data has become a primary requirement by end users for vendors supplying applications containing data. It is becoming even more crucial as corporate organizations accelerate the deployment of client/server computing. Widely used tools such as word processors, spreadsheets and database application development tools are ODBC enabled and they provide means of building powerful end-user applications quickly through ODBC access.

Many vertical applications use ISAM (Indexed Sequential Access Management) type of files for the storage and management of data. These applications require all data access to be performed using customized programs and tend to exist on SCO UNIX, VAX/VMS, Alpha/ OpenVMS or Windows NT type of platforms. End users are interested in accessing this information from the desktop for reporting and application. More recently, the ability to make this information available on the web provides a new paradigm for data access and distribution.

In order to make this information easily accessible and usable, one needs a software infrastructure that:

• Supports access to information stored in proprietary databases from standard desktop tools like Microsoft Access, PowerBuilder, Visual Basic, Crystal Reports and many other tools. Today this means ODBC and JDBC compatible access.
• Allows you to quickly develop client applications for the PC environment using any of the hundreds of desktop tools.
• Can be developed in a very short time without becoming an ODBC, JDBC, OLE DB or SQL expert.

Once a user has the ability to use ODBC to access your ISAM database system, the possibilities are endless.