The parameter definition phase

You must define the connection via a combination of supported parameters. Some connection parameters are always required to open a connection. Others are used to adjust database features for a single connection.

How these parameters are supplied can vary depending on whether you are connecting from an UltraLite administration tool or an UltraLite application. See Supplying UltraLite connection parameters.

The string assembly phase

Either you or the application assembles the supplied parameters into a string. Connection strings contain a list of parameters defined as keyword=value pairs in a semicolon delimited list. See Assembling parameters into UltraLite connection strings.

For example, a connection string fragment that supplies a file name, user ID, and password is written as follows:

DBF=myULdb.udb;UID=JDoe;PWD=token

The transmittal phase

When the connection string has been assembled, it is passed to the database via an UltraLite API to the UltraLite runtime for processing. If the connection attempt is validated, the connection is granted. Connection failures can occur if:

• The database file does not exist.
• Authentication was unsuccessful.