ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) is an industry-standard API that provides a uniform method for SQL database access, allowing applications to connect to any database management system (DBMS) that has an ODBC driver. Developed by Microsoft in the early 1990s, ODBC was designed to make it possible for applications to query data from any database, regardless of its underlying database management system. This interoperability allows for the creation of database-agnostic applications, meaning that the same application can access data stored in, for example, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, or any other DBMS with an available ODBC driver.
ODBC achieves this by using a driver as a translation layer between the application and the DBMS. The application makes ODBC calls, which are then translated into DBMS-specific calls by the driver. This setup enables applications to perform standard SQL operations, such as executing queries and retrieving results, without needing to know the specifics of the DBMS's native interface. ODBC includes support for standard SQL data types and functions, making it a powerful tool for developing portable database applications. It is widely used in various scenarios, from desktop applications to web servers, offering a flexible and reliable way to access data across different database systems.
