FAQ #: 29
What is ODBC?

ODBC is an acronym that stands for Open DataBase Connectivity. ODBC is a functionality that allows different applications to share their data through a single, consistent method. Many times, software developers, such as Microsoft and Corel, will include special software features that allow their individual packages to share data. For example, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel can easily share information with built-in software features. However, sharing information between Microsoft Word and other software packages from different developer’s can be more complicated and sometimes impossible. This is the advantage of ODBC.

ODBC is a set of instructions defined in DLL libraries. The software uses these instructions to explain to other software packages how its files are constructed. The data that is used with ANSWERS cannot be read by any other software package except for ANSWERS. The files are indexed and keyed in a manner that only ANSWERS programs understand. Therefore, the files appear garbled and un-readable if you tried to look at a file in another program, such as Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Word. The files would be completely un-usable. However, ODBC allows other software packages to understand the layout and build of ANSWERS files so that other programs can read the data.

ODBC allows you to pull information from ANSWERS into other programs. This gives you the capability to create reports and spreadsheets not available in ANSWERS. ANSWERS provides standard reports with a great deal of flexibility and information. However, many times users have special reporting requirements that are unique to their company and it’s needs. This is the main use for ODBC. Using ODBC and other software programs, user’s can create their own unique and specialized reports.