Where data sources are held

Data sources can be used on Windows or UNIX/Linux-based systems to help clients make it easier to make connections.

When you connect to a database using ODBC, you use an ODBC data source. The data source contains a set of connection parameters. You need an ODBC data source on the client computer for each database to which you connect.

If you have a data source, your connection string can simply name the data source to use:

Except for encrypted passwords, which are allowed in FileDSNs only, you can put identical connection information in DSNs and FileDSNs.

ODBC data sources can be used to help a wide range of clients connect including: