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Answers to Common Oracle7 ODBC Driver Questions
The ODBC ( Open Database Connectivity ) interface allows applications to
access data in DBMS ( Database management systems using SQL(structured
query
language). Oracle ODBC driver is a DLL that implements ODBC function
calls
and interacts with a data source. In this bulletin, an attempt is made
to
answer the most common questions.
Q1, Where do I get the latest ODBC driver from ?
A. There are two places where one can get the Oracle ODBC driver.
i) By reaching your Oracle sales representative
ii) On CompuServe, access the Oracle User Group Forum (GO ORACLE)
Select LIBRARY from the menubar
Search the MIDDLEWARE & ODBC Library
Type 'odbc' ( without quotes) in the Keyword Box.
In the list of items retrived you will see
Oracle7 ODBC driver.
Oracle ODBC driver is also bundled with Personal Oracle7 for
MS-Windows
and Oracle7 Server for NT.
Q2. How do I install the Oracle ODBC driver ?
A. Run the SETUP.EXE program to install the Oracle ODBC driver on your
system. If the ODBC driver is bundled with other Oracle products,
use the Oracle Installer(ORAINST.EXE)
Q3. I have two ODBC drivers 1.11.0.5.0 and 1.11.1.5.0
Which driver should I install ?
A. The version of the ODBC driver you will install is dependent on the
Required Support files you have on your system.
To find the required support files on your system, run the Oracle
installer (\ORAWIN\BIN\ORAINST.EXE)
This will give you the list of products installed on your system
Search for Required Support files and make note of the version.
If you are running Required Support files 7.0.X, you need to
install
1.11.0.5.0
If you are running Required Support files 7.1.X, you need to
install
1.11.1.5.0
Q4. How do I configure my datasource ?
A. Double click on the Control Panel icon.
Choose the ODBC icon in the Control Panel.
If you don't see an ODBC icon, bring up the File Manager
You should see ODBCADM.EXE typically in \WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory.
You should now see a Dialog Box. Click on the button ADD.
Choose the ODBC driver you want the datasource to be associated with
and click on the OK button.
Assign a name to the datasource.
Description is optional
SQL*Net connect string identifies the database you want to connect
to.
The connect string is dependent on the version of SQL*Net
SQL*Net V1 TCP/IP - t:<servername>:<SID>
SPX - x:<servername>:<SID>
Named Pipes - p:<servername>:<SID>
SQL*Net V2 - <alias>
Personal Oracle7 For MS-Windows - 2:
Q5. How do I find the version of ODBC driver and the DLL, I am using ?
A. Click on the ODBC icon in the Control Panel
Click on the DRIVERS button
Choose the driver you are using
and click on the ABOUT button
Q6. How do I know, if I have configured my driver correctly ?
A. We supply a program ODBCTST.EXE. You should find this in your
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory
Execute ODBCTST and connect to your database by clicking on the
CONNECT
button.
Try to execute a SQL statement
To execute , type out your statement and click on the EXECUTE
button.
Q7. How do I generate the ODBC call trace file
A. Double click on the ODBC icon in control panel
(\windows\system\odbcadm.exe)
Choose your data source and click on the OPTIONS button.
Check Trace ODBC Call. You could specify the name of the file by
clicking
on SELECT FILE
Click on the OK button.
Q8. What other products do I need to make ODBC driver work ?
A. You definitely need SQL*Net for Windows. Make sure that SQL*Net for
Windows is installed and configured correctly before you try to
connect
through ODBC.
If you are connecting to Personal Oracle7 for MS-Windows, you do not
need
the SQL*Net for Windows. Personal Oracle comes with SQL2TT.dll (
Two task
Driver) which is used to connect to Personal Oracle7 standalone
database.
Q9. Is there any on-line help for ODBC ?
A. Yes, we do provide on-line help. You should find drvora71.hlp or
drvora7.hlp in your \WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory. Unfortunately the
install
program does not create an icon for it.
Q10. How does the Oracle ODBC driver communicate to the Oracle Database
?
A. The application/driver architecture is:
Application
|
ODBC driver manager
(ODBC.DLL)
|
Oracle7 Driver
(SQORA71.DLL)
|
OCI layer
(ORA71WIN.DLL)
|
SQL*Net Driver
|
Network Software
( PCTCP, Novell Netware, Microsoft LAN Manager,
etc,.)
|
SQL*Net Listener
|
Oracle7 RDBMS
Q11. If I am unable to connect, what do I need to check ?
A. Though the resolution to a connect problem depends on the type of
the
connect error, here are few things to check
i) Make sure \ORAWIN\BIN is in your search path
ii) Make sure you can connect from an Oracle tool such as SQL*Plus.
If
you cannot connect from an Oracle tool, you will not be able to
connect through the Oracle ODBC driver.
iii)Make sure you have created your datasource and double check the
connect string.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oracle Worldwide Customer
Support
=======================================================================
Neil Clark - SysOp - The Tackle Box BBS at (405) 359-3301
CompuServe: 75717,1435
WWW - http://www.*-*-*.com/ :80/~clark
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Oracle7 - ODBC Driver (Small FAQ)