2.2.3. ADO database connection

Create a DSN-less database connection ¶

The easiest way to connect to a database is to use a DSN-less connection. DSN-less connections can be used for any Microsoft Access database on your site.

Assuming that you have a database named “northwind.mdb” in the web directory of “c:/webdata/”, you can connect to this database using the following ASP code:

<%
set conn=Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
conn.Provider="Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0"
conn.Open "c:/webdata/northwind.mdb"
%>

Note that in the above example, you must specify Microsoft’s Access databasedriver (Provider) and the physical path of this database on the computer.

Create an ODBC database connection ¶

Suppose you have an ODBC database named “northwind” and you can connect toit using the following ASP code:

<%
set conn=Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
conn.Open "northwind"
%>

With an ODBC connection, you can connect to any database on any computer on your network, as long as the ODBC connection is available.

ODBC connection to MS Access database ¶

Here’s how to create a connection to an MS Access database:

1. Open the ODBC icon in the control panel

2. Select the system ODBC tab

3. Click the add button in the ODBC tab

4. Select Driver to Microsoft Access and click the finish button

5. Click the Select button in the next window to locate the database

6. Assign a data source name (Data Source Name,DSN) to this database

7. Click “OK”

Note: this configuration must be done on the same computer as your website. This architecture works if you are running PWS or IIS on your computer, but if your Web site is located on a remote server, you must have physical access to that server, or ask your web host provider to do these things for you.

ADO Connection Object ¶

The ADO connection object is used to create an open connection to a data source. Through this connection, you can access and manipulate this database.

View all the methods and properties of this connection object.