Thread: accessing an SQL database through C++

I've used C to access MySQL. It was pretty straight forward. I can share my example if you want.

In my day job, I work with a very large RDBMS, and C++ is one of the languages for which we provide an API - I just haven't gone there yet. All my work has traditionally been accessing the db via Assembler, and I've just gotten into Java as well.

What RDBMS did you have in mind? Do you have any installed? Windows?

I think what Dino was trying to say is "which SQL variant are you looking at", as they are very similar but not the same, so you usually have to know if it's MySQL (which there is easy access C code to use - and of course C code can be wrapped in a C++ wrapper if you want), MS Access (which I'm sure MS has access (no pun intended) functions for), or for example Oracle or DB2, which I'm sure the respective companies have interfaces for in C and/or C++.

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Mats

I use ODBC

Connect using a DSN to hold site specific DB settings.

MFC makes this a 2 min job.

ODBC is not a database, but merely a protocol (API) for accessing a database. See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odbc

SQL is the language to tell the relational database system what you want. Different DBMSs support different flavors of SQL.

Which database will you be using? Or, perhaps you don't know yet because you haven't picked one or don't know what is available.

Originally Posted by Dino

ODBC is not a database, but merely a protocol (API) for accessing a database. .

Yes ODBC is used to access most types of DBs. Which is what the OP asked for.

Originally Posted by Dino

SQL is the language to tell the relational database system what you want. Different DBMSs support different flavors of SQL. .

The differences in actual SQL between different versions is minor. In most cases it will not matter.

Originally Posted by Dino

Which database will you be using? Or, perhaps you don't know yet because you haven't picked one or don't know what is available.

Or know it is irrelevant to the discussion, based on the design used/application requirements.



EDIT: I think you are under-estimating our experience.

Originally Posted by abachler

Yes, I will unfortunately have to use MFC for this task, but I will probably wrap it in a DLL so I can access it from non-MFC code.

There are some issues with MFC, timestamps and Oracle.

Watch MS SQL Servers auto-numbers (GUIDs) with ODBC consumer recordsets. Sometimes MSVC 'ignores' the field.

Originally Posted by abachler

From the req doc it says SQL Server 2000 or later, so im assuming MS products only.

Which req docs, MFC or ODBC?

AFAIK ODBC can be used with most DB types. I have used MFC ODBC only with SQL Server and Access.
Can't remember if it was ODBC or ADO I used for Oracle in WIN32 C++.

You can configure a DSN to use most DB drivers.
The MFC CDatabase object can then use the DSN to connect, which should allow you to connect to most DB types.

try;
Add a DSN using Admin Tools to your DB, make sure to run the 'Test' to ensure it connects (firewalled).
Start a new MSVC MFC DLL Project with DB support
'Add Class' in MSVC and drill down to MFC->ODBC Consumer CRecordset class
When you require a Data Source: try to connect to the DB using the DSN
Derive a CRecordset from a table in the DB
Check the members against the DB.

If this works then, IMO, it is a proof of concept and you can move forward.