Easysoft ODBC-SQI SQL Engine User Guide - Glossary

Terms and definitions

API (Application Programmer Interface)

    A published set of function calls and constants allowing different programmers to utilize a ready-written library of subroutines.

Application

    A program that applies the computer to solving some real-world problem. In ODBC terms, it is the program connecting to the data source.

Authorization code

You must have an authorization code for the Easysoft product you wish to license in order to obtain a purchased license. When you purchase a product your authorization code is emailed to you. You do not need an authorization code to obtain a trial license.

Back-end data source

    A term used in this manual to refer to the individual ODBC data sources linked into a virtual data source.

Back-end DBMS

    A term used in this manual to refer to the native DBMS of back-end data sources, such as Oracle® or Microsoft SQL Server.

Client

    A process performing tasks local to the current user, such as formatting and displaying a report from data retrieved from the server.

Client server

    The architecture whereby one process (the server) keeps track of global data, and another task (the client) is responsible for formatting and presenting the data. The client connects to the server and requests queries or actions be performed on its behalf. Often these processes run on different hosts across a local-area network.

Column

    The vertical dimension of a table. Columns are named and have a domain (or type).

Database

    A collection of data files.

Data source

    In ODBC terms, a data source is a database or other data repository coupled with an ODBC Driver, which has been given a Data Source Name (see DSN) to identify it to the ODBC Driver Manager.

Data type

    The specification of permitted values. A data type limits the values which are allowed to be used.

DBMS

    Database Management System - software that handles access to a database.

Driver Manager

    Software whose main function is to load ODBC drivers. ODBC applications connect to the Driver Manager and request a data source name (DSN). The Driver Manager loads the driver specified in the DSN's configuration file. In Windows, the ODBC Data Source Administrator is used to set up the Driver Manager.

DSN

    Data Source Name. A name associated with an ODBC data source. Driver Managers use the Data Source Name to cross-reference configuration information and load the required driver.

Field

    A placeholder for a single datum in a record, for example you can have a Surname field in a Contact Details record. Fields are sometimes referred to as cells.

FTP

    File Transfer Protocol. A standard method of transferring files between different machines.

Middleware

    Software that is placed between the client and the server to improve or expand functionality.

License key

    A string which is provided by Easysoft for use in the licensing process.

ODBC

    Open Data Base Connectivity. A programming interface that enables applications to access data in database management systems that use Structured Query Language (SQL) as a data access standard.

ODBC driver

    Software that accesses a proprietary data source, providing a standardized view of the data to an ODBC-compliant application.

Row

    The horizontal dimension of a table. At its most basic, a row might equate to a record within a file.

Schema

    A specification of the structure of a database, including the tables, their column headings and keys.

Server

    A computer, or host, on the network, designed for power and robustness rather than user-friendliness and convenience. Servers typically run around-the-clock and carry central corporate data.

    OR

    A process performing the centralized component of some task, for example, extracting information from a corporate database.

SQL

    Structured Query Language. An international standard text language for querying and manipulating databases.

System data source

    A data source which can be accessed by any user on a given system. See also User data source.

Table

    A data set in a relational database, composed of rows and columns.

TCP/IP

    Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. A standard method of transferring data between different machines.

User data source

    A data source which can only be accessed by a specific user on a given system. See also System data source.

Virtual data source

    A data source configured to connect to multiple local or remote data sources, providing heterogeneous access to the data and providing ODBC 3.5 functionality, even if the existing ODBC drivers conform to lower levels.