Sigma Web Framework ODBC tab

The Sigma Framework ODBC screen allows an administrator to configure usernames and passwords and other parameters associated with an SQL database, using the Microsoft Open Database Connectivity facility. The screen provides general utility in running queries on an arbitrary database, and is mainly useful for program development and system troubleshooting. This screen is accessed after login by clicking on the System tab, and then clicking the ODBC tab. This screen is available ONLY to users who have been given admin rights to the system. Otherwise, attempting to access this screen will result in a Permission Denied screen.

The ODBC screen is depicted below.

The ODBC screen is not required to interface Sigma to a database. (This function is mainly performed via the RunSQL.exe program, in conjunction with the Sigma Macro capability, both discussed in Appendix B.) However, the screen is highly useful for generating quick SQL queries, creating tables, performing system maintenance operations, and debugging the system.

Prior to using the ODBC screen, the administrator should configure an ODBC System DSN via the Control Panel > Admin Tools > Data Sources dialog of the Windows system. The data source will then appear in the pull-down select menu of the screen.

When the data source is first selected, the user must click the Edit button on the screen to configure the Sigma side of the data source. This displays the Edit Data Source screen, which provides the following parameters.

• Database User Name. This is the username required to access the data source (if any) and the value must agree with that configured in Windows. If the database does not require a username, the value is None.
• Database Password. This is the password required to access the data source (if any) and the value must agree with that configured in Windows. If the database does not require a password, the value is None.
• Use Database. If there is a sub-database within the main database, it can be configured here (which will simplify queries). This value will prefix database tables and columns. If the database does not contain any sub-databases, the value is None.
• Use as Default DSN. This value is either Yes or No, and controls the initial database that is displayed when the screen is first entered into by the user. Setting the value to Yes causes the named database to be displayed in the top-level select menu of the screen on user entry. Setting this value to Yes also sets the value to No for any other DSN on the system.

The screen works ONLY with System DSN names, and does not work with User DSN names. Any database that supports ODBC can be specified as part of the Windows Admin Tools > Data Sources screen, including Oracle, MS-SQL, and MS-Access.

In particular, the user can configure an MS-Access database on any system, without requiring any other database to be installed. The MS-Access driver is a part of all Windows systems, and does not require Microsoft Office or any special software to be installed other than the native Windows operating system.

The ODBC screen is particularly useful in configuring and testing other aspects of the Sigma SQL support features. For more information, see Navigating-the-Sigma-Web-Framework-SQL-interface.