Database adapters overview
This section discusses database-specific adapter information. The use and operation of these adapters is covered in each database-specific adapter's documentation.
Using the Database Interface Designer with the database adapters, data stored in a database under the control of a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) can be easily identified, defined, and accessed as the source or target for a map.
The Database Interface Designer is used to:
- Specify the databases to use for a source or target.
- Define query statements.
- Automatically generate schemas for queries or tables.
After defining the specifications for accessing each database in the Database Interface Designer, define your map in the map designer where, in map cards, you can specify a query or stored procedure as an input source or a table or a stored procedure as an output target.
The Database Interface Designer is installed as part of the Design Server, along with all of the Windows-based database adapters. These Windows-based adapters provide connectivity to databases residing on your local PC and on other platforms so that you can automatically create schemas for those queries and tables. The adapters installed as part of your Design Server provide a test environment for maps that access the database.
Non-Windows database adapters do not require the Database Interface Designer if you plan to only use mtsmaker without a database or query (.mdq) file to generate each schema. For information about using mtsmaker, refer to Generating Type Trees Using mtsmaker.