Using ADO Database Technology

Database drivers are database-specific. For example, you can use Microsoft Access, SQL Server, and dBase drivers. Similarly, you can use OLE DB providers such as the OLE DB provider for SQL Server. Your choice depends on your database.

Drivers are written by database vendors such as Microsoft and Oracle, and by a variety of third-party software vendors. Most database drivers implement either the ODBC or the JDBC interface. New drivers (or "providers") are slowly appearing implementing the OLE DB interface.

In Windows 95 or 98, a selection of Microsoft ODBC drivers is installed in the background when you install Microsoft Office 2000 or when you install Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) 2.5. The drivers installed support the following databases: Access databases, SQL Server databases, and dBASE databases.

To find out which drivers are installed on your Windows system, do the following:

In Windows 95, 98, or NT, choose Start->Settings->Control Panel, and double-click the ODBC Data Sources icon. (Depending on your system, the icon could also be called ODBC or 32bit ODBC.)

Next, click the Drivers tab.

In Windows 2000, choose Start > Settings > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Data Sources, then click the Drivers tab.

A list of ODBC and ADO drivers installed on the Windows system appears.