Problem: This document covers finding out where information about ODBC drivers is stored on the computer once it is setup or modified using ODBC Administrator. The text files ODBC.INI , OBDCINST.INI are discussed. A high level overview of the sections of the ODBC.INI and ODBC.INST files is then given. Simple versions of the INI files are then used to show how these features are used. The registry keys that control ODBC driver information under Windows NT are also covered. Solution: *********************************************************************************************************** Note: The information in this document refers to the 32bit Visigenic and Intersolv ODBC drivers for InterBase 5.X. Windows NT is the operating system that this document pertains to. *********************************************************************************************************** 1. ODBC.INI ============ The ODBC.INI file is a text file used to configure ODBC data sources. 16 Bit drivers rely on this file to provide configuration information. You can also find information about 32bit data sources in the registry of Windows NT and 95. The ODBC.INI file should not be modified directly. Always use ODBC Administrator to modify this file. There are four parts that can comprise an ODBC.INI file. The second and third sections are not mandatory for operation. The sections of the ODBC.ini file are listed below. Sections of the ODBC.INI ------------------------------------ A. ODBC data sources This section contains the name of each data source and the driver name associated with it. B. Options that apply to all data sources These options are used for tracing and debugging purposes. C. Default data source section This section contains information about the default data source. It will be a copy of one of the data sources listed by name later. It will have a single group in it , called "default." D. Groups configured for each data source. This group has sections for each data source. All attributes for a particular data source are listed, one per line. SAMPLE ODBC.INI FILE: ---------------------------------- [ODBC 32 bit Data Sources] <-----------Gives the names of Data sources you can reference intersolv_emp=InterBase InterSolv Driver (*.gdb) (32 bit) [intersolv_emp] <-------------------Information about a data source called intersolv_emp Driver32=c:winntsystem32IBINT13.DLL <--------this tells where the dll the driver uses can be found 2. ODBCINST.INI ============== This file has information about 16 bit and 32 bit ODBC drivers. Driver information, setup DLL and translation DLL information is also covered in this file. ODBCINST.INI is a text file, like ODBC.INI. It should not be modified directly. Always use ODBC Administrator to modify this file. Sample ODBCINST.INI file: [InterBase 5.x Driver by Visigenic (*.gdb) (32 bit)] <--------Name of driver Driver=C:WINNTSystem32iscdrv32.dll <-----Name and location of DLL that this driver uses Setup=C:WINNTSystem32iscdrv32.dll <------Name of setup DLL 32Bit=1 <------------------------------------------This flag tells the user that the driver is 32 bit [ODBC 32 bit Drivers] InterBase 5.x Driver by Visigenic (*.gdb) (32 bit)=Installed InterBase InterSolv Driver (*.gdb) (32 bit)=Installed InterBase 4.x Driver by Visigenic (*.gdb) (32 bit)=Installed [InterBase InterSolv Driver (*.gdb) (32 bit)] Driver=c:winntsystem32IBINT13.DLL Setup=c:winntsystem32IBINT13.DLL 32Bit=1 [InterBase 4.x Driver by Visigenic (*.gdb) (32 bit)] Driver=C:WINNTSystem32iscdrv32.dll Setup=C:WINNTSystem32iscdrv32.dll 32Bit=1 3. Registry Keys ============== The NT registry can be accessed by running the regedt32.exe program. The registry key to find information on ODBC.INI is HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEODBCODBC.INI. The registry key to find information on ODBCINST.INI is HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEODBCODBCINST.INI. The keys under the ODBC entry contain the information that used to be housed in the INI files when the driver was 16 Bit.
Last Modified: 23-OCT-00