When you connect to an ODBC data source using a tool such as Visual Basic (VB) and the Client Access ODBC driver, you specify a connection string. The connection string allows you to specify, for example, which data source name (DSN) to use from the list of configured data sources. Here's an example of how you might set the Connect property for a data control in VB:

 ODBC;DSN=MCEDIT;UID=HOOPES; PWD=MYPASSWORD 

That connection string would use MCEDIT for the ODBC DSN, with a user ID of HOOPES and a password of MYPASSWORD. DSN, UID, and PWD are some keywords you can use in a connection string; quite a few others give you additional control over the driver. The table in 1 lists the keywords and their meanings. Learning how to use these additional keywords can result in more control over the behavior and performance of your client/server applications.

That connection string would use MCEDIT for the ODBC DSN, with a user ID of HOOPES and a password of MYPASSWORD. DSN, UID, and PWD are some keywords you can use in a connection string; quite a few others give you additional control over the driver. The table in Figure 1 lists the keywords and their meanings. Learning how to use these additional keywords can result in more control over the behavior and performance of your client/server applications.

- Jim Hoopes

TechTalk: Additional connection string options are available when using the Client Access for Windows 3.1 ODBC driver.

Figure 1: Table of Connection String Keywords and Their Meanings