ODBC Glossary
A
access plan
A plan generated by the database engine to execute a SQL statement. Equivalent to executable code compiled from a third-generation language such as C.
aggregate function
A function that generates a single value from a group of values, often used with GROUP BY and HAVING clauses. Aggregate functions include AVG, COUNT, MAX, MIN, and SUM. Also known as set functions. See also scalar function.
ANSI
American National Standards Institute. The ODBC API is based on the ANSI Call-Level Interface.
APD
See application parameter descriptor (APD).
API
Application Programming Interface. A set of routines that an application uses to request and carry out lower-level services. The ODBC API is composed of the ODBC functions.
application
An executable program that calls functions in the ODBC API.
application parameter descriptor (APD)
A descriptor that describes the dynamic parameters used in a SQL statement before any conversion specified by the application.
application row descriptor (ARD)
A descriptor that represents the column metadata and data in the application's buffers, describing a row of data following any data conversion specified by the application.
ARD
See application row descriptor (ARD).
auto-commit mode
A transaction commit mode in which transactions are committed immediately after they are executed.
B
behavioral change
A change in certain functionality from ODBC 3.x behavior to ODBC 2.x behavior, or vice versa. Caused by changing the SQL_ATTR_ODBC_VERSION environment attribute.
Binary large object (BLOB)
Any binary data over a certain number of bytes, such as 255. Typically much longer. Such data is generally sent to and retrieved from the data source in parts. Also known as long data.
binding
As a verb, the act of associating a column in a result set or a parameter in a SQL statement with an application variable. As a noun, the association.
binding offset
A value added to the data buffer addresses and length/indicator buffer addresses for all bound column or parameter data, producing new addresses.
block cursor
A cursor capable of fetching more than one row of data at a time.
buffer
A piece of application memory used to pass data between the application and driver. Buffers often come in pairs: a data buffer and a data length buffer.
byte
Eight bits or one octet. See also octet.
C
C data type
The data type of a variable in a C program, in this case the application.
catalog
The set of system tables in a database that describe the shape of the database. Also known as a schema or data dictionary.
catalog function
An ODBC function used to retrieve information from the database's catalog.
CLI
See API.
client/server
A database access strategy in which one or more clients access data through a server. The clients usually implement the user interface while the server controls database access.
column
The container for a single item of information in a row. Also known as field.
commit
To make the changes in a transaction permanent.
concurrency
The ability of more than one transaction to access the same data at the same time.
conformance level
A discrete set of functionality supported by a driver or data source. ODBC defines API conformance levels and SQL conformance levels.
connection
A particular instance of a driver and data source.
connection browsing
Searching the network for data sources to connect to. Connection browsing might involve several steps. For example, the user might first browse the network for servers and then browse a particular server for a database.
connection handle
A handle to a data structure that contains information about a connection.
current row
The row currently pointed to by the cursor. Positioned operations act on the current row.
cursor
A piece of software that returns rows of data to the application. Probably named after the blinking cursor on a computer terminal; just as that cursor indicates the current position on the screen, a cursor on a result set indicates the current position in the result set.
D
data buffer
A buffer used to pass data. Often associated with a data buffer is a data length buffer.
data dictionary
See catalog.
data length buffer
A buffer used to pass the length of the value in a corresponding data buffer. The data length buffer is also used to store indicators, such as whether the data value is null-terminated.
data source
The data that the user wants to access and its associated operating system, DBMS, and network platform (if any).
data type
The type of a piece of data. ODBC defines C and SQL data types. See also type indicator.
data-at-execution column
A column for which data is sent after SQLSetPos is called. So named because the data is sent at execution time rather than being placed in a rowset buffer. Long data is generally sent in parts at execution time.
data-at-execution parameter
A parameter for which data is sent after SQLExecute or SQLExecDirect is called. So named because the data is sent when the SQL statement is executed rather than being placed in a parameter buffer. Long data is generally sent in parts at execution time.
database
A discrete collection of data in a DBMS. Also a DBMS.
database engine
The software in a DBMS that parses and executes SQL statements and accesses the physical data.
DBMS
Database Management System. A layer of software between the physical database and the user. The DBMS manages all access to the database.
DBMS-based driver
A driver that accesses physical data through a stand-alone database engine.
DDL
Data Definition Language. Those statements in SQL that define, as opposed to manipulate, data. For example, CREATE TABLE, CREATE INDEX, GRANT, and REVOKE.
delimited identifier
An identifier that is enclosed in identifier quote characters so that it can contain special characters or match keywords (also known as a quoted identifier).
descriptor
A data structure that holds information about either column data or dynamic parameters. The physical representation of the descriptor is not defined; applications gain direct access to a descriptor only by manipulating its fields by calling ODBC functions with the descriptor handle.
desktop database
A DBMS designed to run on a personal computer. Generally, these DBMSs do not provide a stand-alone database engine and must be accessed through a file-based driver. The engines in these drivers generally have reduced support for SQL and transactions. For example, dBASE, Paradox, Btrieve, or Microsoft FoxPro.
diagnostic
A record containing diagnostic information about the last function called that used a particular handle. Diagnostic records are associated with environment, connection, statement, and descriptor handles.
DML
Data Manipulation Language. Those statements in SQL that manipulate, as opposed to define, data. For example, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, and SELECT.
driver
A routine library that exposes the functions in the ODBC API. Drivers are specific to a single DBMS.
Driver Manager
A routine library that manages access to drivers for the application. The Driver Manager loads and unloads (or connects to and disconnects from) drivers and passes calls to ODBC functions to the correct driver.
driver setup DLL
A DLL that contains driver-specific installation and configuration functions.
dynamic cursor
A scrollable cursor capable of detecting rows updated, deleted, or inserted in the result set.
dynamic SQL
A type of embedded SQL in which SQL statements are created and compiled at run time. See also static SQL.
E
embedded SQL
SQL statements that are included directly in a program written in another language, such as COBOL or C. ODBC does not use embedded SQL. See also static SQL and dynamic SQL.
environment
A global context in which to access data; associated with the environment is any information that is global in nature, such as a list of all connections in that environment.
environment handle
A handle to a data structure that contains information about the environment.
escape clause
A clause in a SQL statement.
execute
To run a SQL statement.
F
fat cursor
See block cursor.
fetch
To retrieve one or more rows from a result set.
field
See column.
file-based driver
A driver that accesses physical data directly. In this case, the driver contains a database engine and acts as both driver and data source.
file data source
A data source for which connection information is stored in a .dsn file.
foreign key
A column or columns in a table that match the primary key in another table.
forward-only cursor
A cursor that can only move forward through the result set and generally fetches only one row at a time. Most relational databases support only forward-only cursors.
H
handle
A value that uniquely identifies something such as a file or data structure. Handles are meaningful only to the software that creates and uses them but are passed by other software to identify things. ODBC defines handles for environments, connections, statements, and descriptors.
I
implementation parameter descriptor (IPD)
A descriptor that describes the dynamic parameters used in a SQL statement after any conversion specified by the application.
implementation row descriptor (IRD)
A descriptor that describes a row of data before any conversion specified by the application.
installer DLL
A DLL that installs ODBC components and configures data sources.
Integrity Enhancement Facility
A subset of SQL designed to maintain the integrity of a database.
interface conformance level
The level of the ODBC 3.7 interface supported by a driver; can be Core, Level 1, or Level 2.
interoperability
The ability of one application to use the same code when accessing data in different DBMSs.
IPD
See Implementation Parameter Descriptor (IPD).
IRD
See Implementation Row Descriptor (IRD).
ISO/IEC
International Standards Organization/International Electrotechnical Commission. The ODBC API is based on the ISO/IEC Call-Level Interface.
J
join
An operation in a relational database that links the rows in two or more tables by matching values in specified columns.
K
key
A column or columns whose values identify a row. See also foreign key and primary key.
keyset
A set of keys used by a mixed or keyset-driven cursor to refetch rows.
keyset-driven cursor
A scrollable cursor that detects updated and deleted rows by using a keyset.
L
literal
A character representation of an actual data value in a SQL statement.
locking
The process by which a DBMS restricts access to a row in a multiuser environment. The DBMS usually sets a bit on a row or the physical page containing a row that indicates the row or page is locked.
long data
Any binary or character data over a certain length, such as 255 bytes or characters. Typically much longer. Such data is generally sent to and retrieved from the data source in parts. Also known as BLOBs or CLOBs.
M
machine data source
A data source for which connection information is stored on the system (for example, the registry).
manual-commit mode
A transaction commit mode in which transactions must be explicitly committed by calling SQLTransact.
metadata
Data that describes a parameter in a SQL statement or a column in a result set. For example, the data type, byte length, and precision of a parameter.
multiple-tier driver
See DBMS-based driver.
N
NULL value
Having no explicitly assigned value. In particular, a NULL value is different from a zero or a blank.
O
octet
Eight bits or one byte. See also byte.
octet length
The length in octets of a buffer or the data it contains.
ODBC
Open Database Connectivity. A specification for an API that defines a standard set of routines with which an application can access data in a data source.
ODBC Administrator
An executable program that calls the installer DLL to configure data sources.
Open Group
A company that publishes standards. In particular, it publishes SQL Access Group (SAG) standards.
optimistic concurrency
A strategy to increase concurrency in which rows are not locked. Instead, before they are updated or deleted, a cursor checks to see if they have been changed since they were last read. If so, the update or delete fails. See also pessimistic concurrency.
outer join
A join in which both matching and nonmatching rows are returned. The values of all columns from the unmatched table in nonmatching rows are set to NULL.
owner
The owner of a table.
P
parameter
A variable in a SQL statement, marked with a parameter marker or question mark (?). Parameters are bound to application variables and their values retrieved when the statement is executed.
parameter descriptor
A descriptor that describes the run-time parameters used in a SQL statement, either before any conversion specified by the application (an application parameter descriptor, or APD) or after any conversion specified by the application (an implementation parameter descriptor, or IPD).
parameter operation array
An array containing values that an application can set to indicate that the corresponding parameter should be ignored in an SQLExecDirect or SQLExecute operation.
parameter status array
An array containing the status of a parameter after a call to SQLExecDirect or SQLExecute.
pessimistic concurrency
A strategy for implementing serializability, in which rows are locked so that other transactions cannot change them. See also optimistic concurrency and serializability.
positioned operation
Any operation that acts on the current row. For example, positioned update and delete statements, SQLGetData, and SQLSetPos.
positioned update statement
A SQL statement used to update the values in the current row.
positioned delete statement
A SQL statement used to delete the current row.
prepare
To compile a SQL statement. An access plan is created by preparing a SQL statement.
primary key
A column or columns that uniquely identifies a row in a table.
procedure
A group of one or more precompiled SQL statements that are stored as a named object in a database.
procedure column
An argument in a procedure call, the value returned by a procedure, or a column in a result set created by a procedure.
Q
qualifier
A database that contains one or more tables.
query
A SQL statement. Sometimes used to mean a SELECT statement.
quoted identifier
An identifier that is enclosed in identifier quote characters so that it can contain special characters or match keywords (also known in SQL-92 as a delimited identifier).
R
radix
The base of a number system. Usually 2 or 10.
record
See row.
result set
The set of rows created by executing a SELECT statement.
return code
The value returned by an ODBC function.
roll back
To return the values changed by a transaction to their original state.
row
A set of related columns that describe a specific entity. Also known as a record.
row descriptor
A descriptor that describes the columns of a result set, either before any conversion specified by the application (an implementation row descriptor, or IRD) or after any conversion specified by the application (an application row descriptor, or ARD).
row operation array
An array containing values that an application can set to indicate that the corresponding row should be ignored in a SQLSetPos operation.
row status array
An array containing the status of a row after a call to SQLFetch, SQLFetchScroll, or SQLSetPos.
rowset
The set of rows returned in a single fetch by a block cursor.
rowset buffers
The buffers bound to the columns of a result set and in which the data for an entire rowset is returned.
S
SAG
See SQL Access Group (SAG).
scalar function
A function that generates a single value from a single value. For example, a function that changes the case of character data.
schema
See catalog.
scrollable cursor
A cursor that can move forward or backward through the result set.
serializability
Whether two transactions executing simultaneously produce a result that is the same as the serial (or sequential) execution of those transactions. Serializable transactions are required to maintain database integrity.
server database
A DBMS designed to be run in a client/server environment. These DBMSs provide a stand-alone database engine that provides rich support for SQL and transactions. They are accessed through DBMS-based drivers. For example, Oracle, Informix, DB/2, or SQL Server.
set function
See aggregate function.
setup DLL
See driver setup DLL and translator setup DLL.
single-tier driver
See file-based driver.
SQL
Structured Query Language. A language used by relational databases to query, update, and manage data.
SQL Access Group (SAG)
An industry consortium of companies concerned with SQL DBMSs. The Open Group's Call-Level Interface is based on work originally done by the SQL Access Group.
SQL conformance level
The level of SQL-92 grammar supported by a driver; can be Entry, FIPS Transitional, Intermediate, or Full.
SQL data type
The data type of a column or parameter as it is stored in the data source.
SQLSTATE
A five-character value that indicates a particular error.
SQL statement
A complete phrase in SQL that begins with a keyword and completely describes an action to be taken. For example, SELECT * FROM Orders. SQL statements should not be confused with statements.
state
A well-defined condition of an item. For example, a connection has seven states, including unallocated, allocated, connected, and needing data. Certain operations can be done only when an item is in a particular state. For example, a connection can be freed only when it is in an allocated state and not, for example, when it is in a connected state.
state transition
The movement of an item from one state to another. ODBC defines rigorous state transitions for environments, connections, and statements.
statement
A container for all the information related to a SQL statement. Statements should not be confused with SQL statements.
statement handle
A handle to a data structure that contains information about a statement.
static cursor
A scrollable cursor that cannot detect updates, deletes, or inserts in the result set. Usually implemented by making a copy of the result set.
static SQL
A type of embedded SQL in which SQL statements are hard-coded and compiled when the rest of the program is compiled. See also dynamic SQL.
stored procedure
See procedure.
T
table
A collection of rows.
thunking
The conversion of 16-bit addresses to 32-bit addresses, or vice versa, when 16-bit applications are used with 32-bit ODBC drivers.
transaction
An atomic unit of work. The work in a transaction must be completed as a whole; if any part of the transaction fails, the entire transaction fails.
transaction isolation
The act of isolating one transaction from the effects of all other transactions.
transaction isolation level
A measure of how well a transaction is isolated. There are five transaction isolation levels: Read Uncommitted, Read Committed, Repeatable Read, Serializable, and Versioning.
translator DLL
A DLL used to translate data from one character set to another.
translator setup DLL
A DLL that contains translator-specific installation and configuration functions.
two-phase commit
The process of committing a distributed transaction in two phases. In the first phase, the transaction processor checks that all parts of the transaction can be committed. In the second phase, all parts of the transaction are committed. If any part of the transaction indicates in the first phase that it cannot be committed, the second phase does not occur. ODBC does not support two-phase commits.
type indicator
An integer value passed to or returned from an ODBC function to indicate the data type of an application variable, a parameter, or a column. ODBC defines type indicators for both C and SQL data types.
V
view
An alternative way of looking at the data in one or more tables. A view is usually created as a subset of the columns from one or more tables. In ODBC, views are generally equivalent to tables.