When connecting to a database, the application uses a set of connection parameters to define the connection. Connection parameters can include the server name, the database name, and the user ID.

Connection parameters provide more than one method for completing a task. For example, you can use the DatabaseName (DBN) connection parameter (recommended) or the DatabaseSwitches (DBS) parameter to start an embedded database.

Each connection parameter specifies a keyword-value pair of the form parameter=value. The following example specifies the password connection parameter for the default password:

Password=sql

Connection parameters are assembled into connection strings. In a connection string, a semicolon separates each connection parameter:

ServerName=demo11;DatabaseName=demo

Representing connection strings

Connection string examples can be represented in the following form:

parameter1=value1
parameter2=value2
...

This is equivalent to the following connection string:

parameter1=value1;parameter2=value2

You must enter a connection string on a single line with the parameter settings separated by semicolons.