Features

DB-Library provides a complete programming interface for executing and retrieving SQL statements. The main difference between the DB-Library API and the ODBC API is that DB-Library is designed to work with just one data source, Microsoft SQL Server, whereas ODBC is an open interface that is designed to provide generic access to a wide range of data sources.

Much of the functionality in DB-Library is similar to ODBC; however, because this API is much more tightly coupled to the data source, it also includes some unique features. Like ODBC, DB-Library for C offers a rich set of functions for these tasks:

• Opening connections
  
  
• Formatting queries
  
  
• Sending query batches to the server and retrieving the resulting data
  
  
• Executing stored procedures or remote stored procedures
  
  
• Using scrollable cursors

But unlike ODBC, DB-Library also provides functions for these additional tasks:

• Bulk copying data from files or program variables to and from the server (BCP)
  
  
• Controlling two-phase commit operations between several participating SQL servers
  
  
• Obtaining the names of SQL servers either locally or over the network

These functions allow the application developer to control features that are not available through any other interface. Let’s look at two of these features in more detail.