UnixODBC
Encyclopedia
unixODBC is an open source
project that implements the ODBC API. The code is provided under the GNU
GPL/LGPL license and can be built and used on many different operating systems, including most versions of Unix
, Linux
, Mac OS X
, IBM OS/2
and Microsoft's Interix
.
The goals of the project include:
(another open source ODBC implementation) were not then willing to LGPL the code, expand the API to include the current ODBC 3 API specification, and did not consider the addition of GUI based configuration tools worthwhile. iODBC
now has these parts added, and applications that use the ODBC interface may use both iODBC and unixODBC, without change in most cases, as a result of both projects adhering to the single ODBC specification.
The development of unixODBC progressed since its origin, with contributions from many developers, both in the open source community and also from commercial database companies, including IBM
, Oracle Corporation
and SAP
.
unixODBC is included as part of the standard installation of many Linux distributions.
This split was done to allow faster releases of supporting work while maintaining focus on stability and consistency for the core code.
Open source
The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...
project that implements the ODBC API. The code is provided under the GNU
GNU
GNU is a Unix-like computer operating system developed by the GNU project, ultimately aiming to be a "complete Unix-compatible software system"...
GPL/LGPL license and can be built and used on many different operating systems, including most versions of Unix
Unix
Unix is a multitasking, multi-user computer operating system originally developed in 1969 by a group of AT&T employees at Bell Labs, including Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, Brian Kernighan, Douglas McIlroy, and Joe Ossanna...
, Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
, Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
, IBM OS/2
OS/2
OS/2 is a computer operating system, initially created by Microsoft and IBM, then later developed by IBM exclusively. The name stands for "Operating System/2," because it was introduced as part of the same generation change release as IBM's "Personal System/2 " line of second-generation personal...
and Microsoft's Interix
Interix
Interix is the name of an optional, full-featured POSIX and Unix environment subsystem for Microsoft's Windows NT-based operating systems.Interix is a component of the Services for Unix release 3.0 and 3.5...
.
The goals of the project include:
- Provide developers with the tools to port Microsoft WindowsMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
ODBC applications to other platforms with the minimum of code changes. - Maintain the project as a vendor neutral interface database SDK
- Provide ODBC drivers writers the tools to port their drivers to non Windows platforms
- Provide the user with a set of GUI and command line tools for managing their database access
- Maintain links with both the free software communityFree software communityThe free-software community is an informal term that refers to the users and developers of free software as well as supporters of the free-software movement. The movement is sometimes referred to as the open-source software community or a subset thereof...
and commercial database vendors, to ensure interoperability
1999
The unixODBC project was first started in the early months of 1999 (by Peter Harvey) and was created as at that time the developers of iODBCIODBC
iODBC is an open source initiative managed by OpenLink Software. It is a platform-independent ODBC SDK and runtime offering that enables the development of ODBC-compliant applications and drivers outside the Windows platform...
(another open source ODBC implementation) were not then willing to LGPL the code, expand the API to include the current ODBC 3 API specification, and did not consider the addition of GUI based configuration tools worthwhile. iODBC
IODBC
iODBC is an open source initiative managed by OpenLink Software. It is a platform-independent ODBC SDK and runtime offering that enables the development of ODBC-compliant applications and drivers outside the Windows platform...
now has these parts added, and applications that use the ODBC interface may use both iODBC and unixODBC, without change in most cases, as a result of both projects adhering to the single ODBC specification.
1999 July
The original driver manager was very basic. The driver manager was rewritten by Easysoft's Nick Gorham soon after the project started. Nick assumed leadership of the project in July 1999 with Peter Harvey continuing work on supporting code.The development of unixODBC progressed since its origin, with contributions from many developers, both in the open source community and also from commercial database companies, including IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
, Oracle Corporation
Oracle Corporation
Oracle Corporation is an American multinational computer technology corporation that specializes in developing and marketing hardware systems and enterprise software products – particularly database management systems...
and SAP
SAP AG
SAP AG is a German software corporation that makes enterprise software to manage business operations and customer relations. Headquartered in Walldorf, Baden-Württemberg, with regional offices around the world, SAP is the market leader in enterprise application software...
.
unixODBC is included as part of the standard installation of many Linux distributions.
2009
The unixODBC project was split into several projects (all hosted on SourceForge);- unixODBC ("Core" and "Dev" bits)
- unixODBC-GUI-Qt (Qt based GUI bits)
- unixODBC-Test (multiple test frameworks)
This split was done to allow faster releases of supporting work while maintaining focus on stability and consistency for the core code.