Data Environments

Data Environments (introduced with VB 6) allow for interactive creation of hierarchical ADO Objects at design time, and easy access to data at run time. Through the Data Environment Designer you create Data Environment objects to connect with Data sources (Connection Objects), and access data from those sources (via Command Objects) at design time and run time.

You can use a data environment as a data source for reports you create with the Report Designer Component. If your project includes a data environment, the Report Designer Component will allow you to select the data environment as a data source at design time. Runtime reports make full use of the data exposed by a data environment by working with the standard connection, command, or recordset objects provided, much like working directly with an ADO object.

Microsoft Data Link (UDL) files

The Report Designer Component now supports Microsoft Data Link (UDL) files.

Microsoft Data Link Files are comparable to File DSNs in ODBC. UDL files stores connection information to be used by the OLE DB layer. UDL's are available with OLE DB 2.0, which is installed by MDAC 2.x.

To create a UDL file
  1. Right-click on the Windows desktop, choose "New" from the popup menu and then choose "Microsoft Data Link". A new UDL file will appear on the desktop. By default, it will be called "New Microsoft Data Link.UDL". You can rename this file.
  2. Double-click, or right-click, and choose Properties on this icon to configure the connection. Select the appropriate OLE DB provider in the Provider tab before entering information in the Connection tab. The template for the Connection tab changes based on the OLE DB provider used.

For more information on how to use UDLs, see the Microsoft Data Link help file, "msdasc.hlp".



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