1. a direct connection
2. a connection to desktop files
3. a data source with ODBC, IDAPI or Oracle Call Interface (OCI)
4. a DSN file
5. an OLE DB connection

See also: Troubleshooting guide.

Direct connection

The direct connection method allows you to connect to most popular databases (MS SQL Server, Oracle, Interbase/Firebird, MySQL, PostgreSQL and DB2).
Enter the server name and the database name, if required. The user name and password are optional. Their necessity depends on the settings of your database. The owner name (schema) is optional too. The list of visible database objects depends on the choice of the owner. If the owner is empty, you will access all objects. There is important that schema/owner name is case sensitive.
If you do not find the required database type in the list or cannot connect directly, use a connection through the predefined data source. If DBMS is in the list, but unavailable, it means that either the required ODBC driver is not installed or it is not configured properly.
During its use, the program stores the entered values of server names, users and owners. You can select a value from the stored list using the corresponding combo box. For some DBMS types (MS SQL, for example), the program can fill the list of available databases. Use the button with two arrows for this purpose.

Desktop files

The second way is designed for connecting to desktop data files. Select the required format and specify the file name or the directory where the data is located. Other parameters are optional.

Preconfigured data sources

A connection with the use of a data source is the most universal one. You can select an interface (ODBC, IDAPI or OCI (if installed)) and the preconfigured data source name. Other options in this case are similar to those of a direct connection. The "Manage" button allows you to get access to the external configuration utility if it is available. When you want to access the tables belonging to single data scheme (or owner), you should fill the "owner" entry; otherwise all tables will be accessed.

DSN file

The fourth way is using a DSN file. In this case just select the file name with DSN definition.

OLE DB connection

Use 'Configure' button to specify connection information. Password and owner fields are optional.

General information

In all modes the "Test" and "Information" buttons, as well as tools for working with connection profiles are available. "Test" button allows you to check information you entered and/or data source (or alias) configuration.

Connection profile helps you to save information about your connection (interface, data source or alias name, user name (login), password and database name, etc) and get access it by the one click.
"Save" and "Load" buttons allow you to save or load profiles to external file.

The program provides detailed database, connection and driver information and properties. "Information" button allows you to view it.

DBMS-specific connection options

Microsoft SQL Server

• "(local)", empty or "." server name means local server
• use <server name>\<instance name> syntax to identify instance. Example: .\SQLEXPRESS means SQL Express at the local system

Oracle

Interbase and Firebird

• Server: localhost and Database c:\interbase\myDb.fdb - connect to specified DB on local system.
• Server: 172.17.2.10/3051 and Database /usr/local/db/myDb.fdb - connect to specified server with alternate port 3051 on remote system 172.17.2.10

MySQL

• Use localhost for local MySQL
• example.com;port=3306 means MySQL at example.com on 3306 port

DB2

PostgreSQL

Troubleshooting guide