FlexODBC is an ODBC driver (DLL) for the DataFlex Embedded DBMS. Visual DataFlex and Character Mode DataFlex stores its data in its own proprietary indexed DBMS file format. This driver allows users of any ODBC compliant front end application to read and write data contained in DataFlex format files similarly to any other ODBC enabled database.

FlexODBC works by accepting SQL commands through the ODBC interface, then converting those calls to navigational commands to the DataFlex DBMS and returning record sets that qualify for the query results. This driver is not a Client/Server product, and navigates the data files directly.

What can I do with FlexODBC?
FlexODBC opens up the DataFlex files created by thousands of custom programs to the new world of database connectivity. In the same way that Windows has created an environment where all applications have a similar look and feel, ODBC drivers make all database formats look the same.

A user in Microsoft Office can use Excel to pull company accounting or invoice information directly into a spreadsheet and create a chart. Microsoft Word can do a customer mail merge directly from DataFlex files. Crystal Reports users can create multi-file reports from DataFlex data. Microsoft Access or Borland Delphi can be used to merge DataFlex data with other data sources to produce complex reports, or to run mass file updates based on multiple criteria.

New Features in Version 4
FlexODBC 4.0 now utilizes the new Data Access v2.1 API and supports DataFlex versions 2.3b right thru to Visual DataFlex 11.

Our goal with this release was to make it easy to evaluate, cheaper to purchase, easy to order, easy to install and easy to use, and we now no longer count concurrent users so you will never have "Maximum Number of Users Exceeded" errors anymore!!!

Along with this new release also comes many new changes, from its functionality and looks to the way it is registered and sold now. Besides the ability to handle the extended filelist.cfg (4096 files) and new file header format, FlexODBC 4.0 supports driver based databases such as Pervasive.SQL, Microsoft SQL Server, etc.

In other words, applications using FlexODBC can now continue to work when the back end database is migrated from the DataFlex Embedded DBMS to server environments, like MS SQL Server, without any changes. FlexODBC v4 just needs to be able to locate the .int files and a licensed Data Access Connectivity Kit for MS SQL driver (for this given example).

You can also now speed up combo boxes in applications by limiting the number of rows returned from a SQL query by using TOP, for example:

SELECT TOP 20 * FROM customer

retrieves only the first 20 customers and not every customer in the table.

This is a list of all of the SQL functions now supported in Release 4:-

FlexODBC String Functions

ASCII(string_exp)
CHAR(code)
CONCAT(string_exp1, string_exp2)
DIFFERENCE(string_exp1, string_exp2)
INSERT(string_exp1, start, length, string_exp2)
LCASE(string_exp)
LEFT(string_exp, count)
LENGTH(string_exp)
LOCATE(string_exp1, string_exp2[, start])
LTRIM(string_exp)
REPEAT(string_exp, count)
RIGHT(string_exp, count)
RTRIM(string_exp)
SOUNDEX(string_exp) - Returns a character string representing the sound of the words in string_exp.
SPACE(count)
SUBSTRING(string_exp, start, length)
UCASE(string_exp)

FlexODBC Numeric Functions

ABS(numeric_exp)
ACOS(float_exp)
ASIN(float_exp)
ATAN(float_exp)
ATAN2(float_exp1, float_exp2)
CEILING(numeric_exp)
COS(float_exp)
COT(float_exp)
DEGREES(numeric_exp)
EXP(float_exp)
FLOOR(numeric_exp)
LOG(float_exp)
LOG10(float_exp)
MOD(integer_exp1, integer_exp2)
PI()
POWER(numeric_exp, integer_exp)
RADIANS(numeric_exp)
RAND([integer_exp])
ROUND(numeric_exp, integer_exp)
SIGN(numeric_exp)
SIN(float_exp)
SQRT(float_exp)
TAN(float_exp)
TRUNCATE(numeric_exp, integer_exp)

FlexODBC Time and Date Functions

CURDATE()
CURTIME()
DAYNAME(date_exp)
DAYOFMONTH(date_exp)
DAYOFWEEK(date_exp)
DAYOFYEAR(date_exp)
HOUR(time_exp)
MINUTE(time_exp)
MONTH(date_exp)
MONTHNAME(date_exp)
NOW()
QUARTER(date_exp)
SECOND(time_exp)
TIMESTAMPADD(interval, integer_exp, timestamp_exp)
TIMESTAMPDIFF(interval, timestamp_exp1, timestamp_exp2)
WEEK(date_exp)
YEAR(date_exp)

FlexODBC System Functions

DATABASE()
IFNULL(exp, value)
USER()

Functions use the following {fn functionname(parameters)} syntax, for example:

SELECT {fn LEFT("Name", 5)} AS "Left 5", "Name" FROM Customer

What is ODBC?
ODBC (Open DataBase Connectivity) is a specification designed by Microsoft to allow Windows applications to access multiple data sources through a single method with no regard for various file formats. SQL (Structured Query Language) is used as the method for accessing data through ODBC. Vendors of ODBC drivers (like this one) follow the specifications for ODBC so that any ODBC compliant application can access the data available through the driver. ODBC compliant applications include: Microsoft Access, Word, Excel, Powerbuilder, Borland Delphi, Crystal Reports XI (Professional, Developer and Server Editions), Visual Basic and hundreds of others.

FlexODBC Evaluation Version
FlexODBC evaluations can be downloaded directly from: http://www.FlexODBC.com.au/downloads.asp

The evaluation edition of the FlexODBC driver will only operate for a period of 30 days, beyond which it will fail. This does not affect registered users. Should your evaluation copy expire, you need to click on the "Activate" button in the FlexODBC Setup and "Purchase" a CD Key.

See our link on "How to Install FlexODBC" for step by step details on how to download and setup FlexODBC.

How does the evaluation copy work?
If the product is unregistered, it is limited to 100 records searched per query in evaluation mode. If a query returns no result, it may be that no match was found within the first 100 records. Try a more simple query instead.

System Requirements:
Minimum CPU required: Pentium II processor 450 MHz or better
Minimum memory required: 64 MB
Minimum hard disk space required: 30 MB
Operating system version: Windows 98SE/2000/ME/NT 4.0/XP
DataFlex version 2.3b or higher (includes Visual DataFlex)

FlexODBC Updates from Version 3.x
Updates for existing FlexODBC 3.x licenses to Version 4 are priced at 40% off the current retail cost of the product shown depending on your current license type.

Please quote your current FlexODBC full registration name and code with your update order.

FlexODBC needs to be registered with us prior to obtaining an update, upgrade or "Free 30 Day Installation Support". If you haven't registered an existing license and have misplaced your registration card, you can download our registration form from :- http://www.dataaccess.com.au/admin/DAAPregcard.pdf

Please state your current FlexODBC full registration name and code on the registration form. Once this is done, please fax it back to us at +61 3 9761 3655.

Updates and upgrades may be purchased directly from our main e-commerce website under: FlexODBC Updates/Upgrades

Data Access Worldwide Support Solutions

We offer a variety of technical support solutions in order to give our customers a wide range of choices to determine how we may best help them meet their support needs.

Our FREE QDeveloper Forum
Our FREE forum is dedicated to the professional exchange of information where QODBC & FlexODBC users can post support queries, report product bugs, search the FAQs and much more. To visit the forum click here.

Buy Support Incidents
If you can't find your answer in the FREE Public QDeveloper Forum, require URGENT Priority Support, or you need to send us private or confidential information, purchase one of our Support Incidents by clicking here.

Callback Support
If you live in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, you can leave us your contact details with your question and request us to call you back and discuss them with you personally (charges apply).

Pre-Paid Phone Support
Pre-Paid Phone Support time must be purchased from our website prior to placing a support call. Telephone support is the fastest way to speed up problem diagnoses and resolution or simply receive an experienced perspective on your particular issue. Telephone support is billed at the rate of A$33.00 per 20 minutes for one question or issue ("incident"). After you have purchased support time, you will be advised of the priority support number to call to speak to a technical support person or to make an appointment. While there are times the technical support team will be available for immediate help, they may have other calls to handle before scheduling your time. We will attempt to close all calls the day of your call.

Announcement List
To be alerted to news about FlexODBC, product releases, beta test cycles, new features and promotions subscribe to e-News Asia Pacific.

What kind of learning curve is there for FlexODBC?
After quick installation of the driver, no training is required! This driver is transparent, requires no learning curve and works in exactly the same fashion as other ODBC drivers. Users of ODBC compliant front-end applications do not necessarily need to learn SQL language to access the DataFlex Embedded DBMS database files. Many of these ODBC compliant applications simply present wizards enabling the user to create queries against the database.