OLE DB Definitions
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OLE DB is Microsoft's data interface.
It can work with most any data format.
OLE DB can work with data from:
- All major databases such as SQL Server, Oracle and MS Access.
- Excel spreadsheet data.
- Text files.
- Web data and Email data.
- Others
A
Data Store refers to any data that can be accessed through
OLE DB.
A
Data Provider is a program written to interface with a
Data Store.
A
Data Provider can transform the raw data into a row/column format
that can be used by a program.
Most
Data Providers also provide for data manipulation, using tools such as
SQL.
Some common data providers:
| Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0 |
Jet databases like MS Access |
| MSDASQLMicrosoft OLE DB Provider for SQL Server |
For SQL Server databases |
| Microsoft OLE DB Provider for Oracle |
For Oracle databases |
| Microsoft OLE DB Provider for ODBC Drivers |
For Excel sheets and Text Files |
Data Consumers
A
Data Consumer is a software program that communicates with a
Data Store.
The
Data Consumer sees all data in a row - column format.