ODBC4x
Overview Table Definitions
  In order to access ProvideX data files in ODBC, the contents of the files (or tables) must be described for use with the ProvideX ODBC Driver. Tables can be defined in two ways:
  • ProvideX Data Dictionary. This is the preferred method, as files are easily defined using NOMADS Data Dictionary Maintenance and are fully compatible with the ProvideX ODBC driver.
  • Formatted text file (INI file). Files are created manually. This method is required when files contains multiple record types.


*Note* As of Version 5, the ProvideX Data Dictionary Maintenance allows the entry of multiple record definitions. However, the ODBC driver does not use this information. The ODBC driver will read only the first record format.


  Data Dictionary and INI file locations are defined for the ProvideX ODBC driver using the ODBC Data Source Administrator. For more information, see Local & Client Configuration.

This section describes both methods for defining data sources for use with the ProvideX ODBC driver: ProvideX Data Dictionary and INI Definition.

   
Terminology When working with ODBC, the standard term for a set of data is a table. In ProvideX a table is often a physical file. In this manual the terms table and file are both used. When the manual refers to the data as stored on disk the term physical file is used. Also note that due to the ability to store multiple record formats in a single physical file there may be multiple logical tables for a single physical file.