ODBC - Openlink v. Merant (Intersolv)

[Chris Kelleher]

I am evaluating the ODBC drivers from both of these companies and need some
advice.

Is there a preferred driver to use? I will be using it for Crystal Reports
access to Progress using multiple databases on AIX and NT simultaneously.

I believe Merant is now recommended by Progress, but Openlink seems to be
used by many people.

Thanks in advance,
Stuart

 

[Chris Kelleher]

SLondon@citco.com wrote:
>
> I am evaluating the ODBC drivers from both of these companies and
> need some
> advice.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Stuart
>

Hi Stuart.

I have used Openlink for many months, without problems. Merant needs (I think) Progress in the client side, not Openlink.

>
> I believe Merant is now recommended by Progress, but Openlink seems to be
> used by many people.
>

Openlink is used by Progress Apptivity Evaluation Kit (version 3).

>
> Is there a preferred driver to use? I will be using it for Crystal Reports
> access to Progress using multiple databases on AIX and NT simultaneously.

I prefer Openlink.

Jose M. Rebes
jm.rebes@globaliberica.es
PEG #1999082601 Analista/Programador
Global Automotive Iberica SL Telefono: +34 934741101
Ferrocarriles Catalanes 117-119 Fax : +34 934743358
08940 Cornella de Llobregat BARCELONA - ESPAÑA (SPAIN)

 

[Chris Kelleher]

Not technically correct on either account. OpenLink Lite drivers
both need Progress on the client side just like the Mearant DataDirect
do. But Merant SQLLink drivers do not need Progress on the client,
just like the OpenLink MT series doesn't. It's all based on the
individual driver you are talking about.


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[Chris Kelleher]

Hi Stuart;
In version 9.1A, Progress will begin shipping Merant 3.5 branded drivers for
many of the supported datasources with the ODBC Enterprise Dataserver.
In earlier versions of Progress (such as 9.0A and 9.0B), Progress do not
ship any drivers for ODBC data sources. Customers must obtain their own
copies from Merant when using those versions.
ODBC and any client software required by the datasource is always installed
wherever the ODBC DataServer runs not where the Progress client resides.

 

[Chris Kelleher]

The Progress ODBC Enterprise Dataserver is used to connect to external ODBC
data sources from with in Progress. Progress 9.1A Enterprise Database will
ship with Merant's 3.5 Progress Driver that is used to talk to a Progress
Database via the SQL 92 Engine from an external source. There is continual
confusion about how the ODBC Dataserver is used and the Enterprise Database.
I couldn't let this slip.

 

[anvegger]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Arial, Verdana">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by progresstalk:
The Progress ODBC Enterprise Dataserver is used to connect to external ODBC
data sources
> Like MS SQL Server or DB/2 or MS Access
from with in Progress.
Progress 9.1A Enterprise Database will
ship with Merant's 3.5 Progress Driver that is used to talk to a Progress Database via the SQL 92 Engine from an external source. There is continual confusion about how the ODBC Dataserver is used and the Enterprise Database.
I couldn't let this slip.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Colleagues,
We are using Progress Data servers to let Progress 4GL code communicate with non-progress data sources Oracle, MS SQL Server, DB/2, Sybase, Ms Access, etc. Some of them like Oracle data server are using a OCI libraries to connect to the data source directly. The most common interface is introduced by Microsoft and known as ODBC. When we are running a data source from Microsoft (Access or SQL Server) even selection of Merant driver will execute Microsoft's dll. And performance, features and operation will be result of Microsoft operation. That is Progress 4GL to non Progress RDBMS configuration.
If there is a need to communicate Progress RDBMS with non Progress application like Crystal Reports or Actuate that the Merant' (or other vendors like OpenLink and SCO in some instances) product prerogative. These drivers allow user to send requests to Progress RDBMS Engine using SQL statements (in ANSI standards like ANSI SQL-89 or ANSI SQL-92). I hope that helps. Your comments questions are welcome.
Andrey Vegger
anvegger@diligentsys.com