Introduction to ODBC for
Business Rules
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What is ODBC?
ODBC – Installing the Drivers
ODBC – Data Sources
(BR.INI)
BR Sample Application
BR Context Manager
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BR
BR
BR
BR
BR
BR
Sample
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Sample
Sample
Sample
Sample
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Common
Employee
File Record Selection
Field Definition
Field Definition
Dates
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ODBC
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(O)pen (D)ata(B)ase (C)onnectivity
Simply put, your data available in Windows Apps
Drivers – provided by ADS & Microsoft
Context Manager – provided by ADS
Applications use ODBC to present DATA
◦ MS-Access
◦ MS-Excel
◦ Crystal Report
◦ ** Many more!!
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http://www.ads.net/brules/filebase/br-updates/odbc_4_01.zip
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ADS Drivers easily available on the web.
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Download Drivers
Extract to an Install Directory.
Copy BRSERIAL.DAT to disk1
EDIT BR.INI
EDIT WBCONFIG.SYS
(Each user needs to do this!)
(If desired)
(If desired)
Installing ODBC
◦ Copy the “DISK1” and “Cabs” to install Folder
◦ Run SETUP.EXE from the new “Install” Folder
◦ Select Driver & Sample (Or Just Driver for End Users)
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Configuration File
◦ C:\WINDOWS\BR.INI
 [BR] – Points to BRSERIAL.DAT folder
 [ODBC]
 DRIVE
 Dictionary Path
 Database
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– Defines the “Drive Statement”
- Location of Context
- Base Dir for Data
BR.INI is used to define ODBC settings
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Control Panel – Administrative Tools
◦ Data Sources (ODBC)
◦ System DSN
 Common Data Area
 Payroll
- BR Sample Data Application
- BR Sample Data Application
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C:\Program Files\ADS\Business Rules!
BRSERIAL.DAT
◦ (If you forgot to change the install folder)
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BR32.EXE
◦ ODBC does not come with or need BR
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MENU.WBO
◦ Menu to run Sample Application.
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For our purposes, the sample data is all we
care about.
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RUN CONTEXT/TOOLS
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Application Section.
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Defines BR Applications
Multiple Applications may be Defined
Each application may have many tables
F1 – Add/Create
F3 – Change Existing
F4 – Delete
F5 – Inquire/Details about
F6 – List
F10 - Execute
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From Context Manager
◦ Select Payroll
 F5
- Shows Program & Data Details
 PRD - Data Folder
 C:\Program Files\ADS\BR ODBC Driver\PRD
◦ Remember BR.INI
 DataPath= C:\Program Files\ADS\BR ODBC Driver
◦ Enter (Or F10) on Common
 DEDUCT
 EMPLOYEE
- Sample table, lists various deductions
- Sample table, lists employees
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Employee
◦ Application File Code
◦ Contains Details
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Name
Path
MASTER
Key1
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Employee Master File
PRD
EMPLOYEE
EMPLOYEE.KEY
 Up to 10 index files may be listed
 Select indexes based on “Most Common Searches”
◦ Press “F10” or Enter to select
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Once you select Employee
◦ A list of record types appear
 Only 1 Record Type required.
 Many record types may be defined.
◦ F5 – Inquire
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Application Name
File Name
Record Name
Description
Field Name Prefix
Field Name Suffix
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Payroll
Employee
Employee
Employee Record
For BR Use Only
For BR Use Only (Required)
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Once you have selected the Employee Record
◦ A List of Fields appear.
◦ List the fields you wish to make available.
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Required Fields
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FIELD NAME - Field Name for Windows
DESCRIPTION - Description (Not Visible)
FORM
- C, PD, BH (Any Valid BR Type)
LENGTH
- Length of Field (In File)
DEC
- # of Decimal Digits.
START
- Starting Position
STOP
- Ending Position (Automatic)
DATE FORMAT - Defines Dates
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When Naming Date Fields:
◦ Include the Word “DATE” in the Name
 BIRTH_DATE
 DATE_HIRED
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DATE FORMAT
◦ DAYS
◦ NODATE
◦ CCYYMMDD
- Use the Days Format (Default)
- Not a date (But name has date)
- Use In any order to define dates