Db2 ODBC and ODBC drivers

Differences exist between the Db2 ODBC and ODBC drivers. Generally, Db2 ODBC supports a subset of the functions that the ODBC driver provides.

The following figure compares Db2 ODBC and the Db2 ODBC driver. The left side of this figure depicts an ODBC driver under the ODBC driver manager. The right side of this figure depicts Db2 ODBC, a callable interface that is designed for Db2-specific applications.

Begin figure summary. This figure is a flowchart that depicts the difference between ODBC drivers that operate under a driver manager and the DB2 ODBC driver. Detailed description available. — Figure 1. Db2 ODBC and ODBC

In an ODBC environment, the driver manager provides the interface to the application. It also dynamically loads the necessary driver for the database server to which the application connects. It is the driver that implements the ODBC function set, with the exception of some extended functions that are implemented by the driver manager.

The Db2 ODBC driver does not execute in this environment. Rather, Db2 ODBC is a self-sufficient driver which supports a subset of the functions that the ODBC driver provides.

Db2 ODBC applications interact directly with the ODBC driver which executes within the application address space. Applications do not interface with a driver manager. The capabilities that are provided to the application are a subset of the Microsoft ODBC 2.0specifications.