How Does Progress DataDirect ODBC Implementation Differ?

Custom coding data access to the native proprietary interface of each database results in non-portable code. When compared to the use of wire protocol ODBC drivers, custom coding offers no performance advantage.

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You have two choices when deciding how to implement data access:

• Custom code to the database's native interface, such as Oracle's OCI (Oracle Call Interface)
• Use third-party ODBC drivers such as Progress DataDirect wire protocol ODBC drivers

Custom coding data access to the native proprietary interface of each database results in non-portable code. This approach requires you to re-program your application every time you change databases or even database versions; making it difficult to maintain the application and reducing cost-effectiveness. When compared to the use of wire protocol ODBC drivers, custom coding offers no performance advantage. See Ken North's report, which benchmarks the performance of SQL queries using wire protocol ODBC and Oracle's OCI.

Progress DataDirect ODBC drivers provide the following advantages over other ODBC drivers:

• Progress DataDirect offers a Wire Protocol ODBC driver for every major database - Informix - on both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows and Linux/UNIX platforms. Wire Protocol technology eliminates the need for client libraries, simplifying development and eliminating configuration and support issues.
• Microsoft selected Progress DataDirect to be the exclusive licensee of their ODBC Driver Manager to port ODBC to non-Windows platforms. Therefore, Progress DataDirect has a UNIX ODBC Driver Manager that has equivalent functionality of the Microsoft Windows ODBC Driver Manager.
• All major database vendors, including Oracle, IBM, Microsoft, Sybase and Progress, embed Progress DataDirect ODBC drivers as part of their strategic product offerings.
• Progress DataDirect offers award-winning 24x7 technical support to ensure rapid response to customer concerns (see the SupportLink website for more information.)