Open Data Hub for Mainframe ODBC Connector

The Open Data Hub for Mainframe ODBC Connector provides ODBC-enabled applications with transparent access to local and remote data sources.

What Is Open Database Connectivity?

Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) is the database access component of the Windows Open System Architecture (WOSA). It is a remote database specification based on the SQL Access Group (SAG) and the X/Open Call Level Interface specification.

The specification attempts to define all calls required for application interaction with a data source. The format of the call and expected data return for connect, query, define, and data manipulation are standardized. This enables front-end applications to access multiple, heterogeneous relational and non-relational DBMSs, while eliminating the need to develop a specific interface for each one.

What Is an ODBC Driver?

An ODBC driver represents the layer of software that maps the ODBC specification to proprietary API specification of the DBMS. These drivers are recognized and managed by the ODBC Driver Manager. Applications make database access calls to the Driver Manager, and the Driver Manager calls the appropriate ODBC driver.

To call the Driver Manager and to use the ODBC calls for the connection and retrieval of data, an application must be ODBC-compliant. Also, the ODBC drivers must conform to these calls. The drivers must return data and messages to the application, according to the ODBC specification.

ODBC Application Components

The following components are used when an ODBC application queries a data source:

  • ODBC API. An open API designed to provide a standard set of calls that multiple applications can use to access remote data sources.

  • ODBC-enabled application. An application that uses the ODBC API to access remote data. For example, Microsoft applications, such as Excel, or visualization tools, such as Cognos, Qlik, and Tableau.

  • ODBC Driver Manager. Stores information on the installed ODBC drivers and the associated data source names. An ODBC-enabled application can request a list of drivers and available data sources from the Driver Manager. Once a connect request is made for a data source, the Driver Manager loads the relevant driver and passes the ODBC requests from the application to that driver. The ODBC Administration utilities are used to record information about drivers, data sources, and data source configurations. These utilities are also used to add new data sources.

    Note: While Windows includes an ODBC Driver Manager, other operating systems require that you install one.

Open Data Hub for Mainframe ODBC Connector Components

The Open Data Hub for Mainframe ODBC Connector is an ODBC driver that provides access to a server. This driver receives incoming ODBC calls (requests) from an ODBC application through the Driver Manager. It converts the calls into the appropriate API commands. The SQL statement is sent to the server in the form passed from the application.