Native Client is needed for SQL Server?

[stlcours]

I always think unidac can directly access to Oracle, MySQL, PgSQL, SQLite and NexusDB because your advertising is like that:

But today I find that unidac can work for sql server without native client. This is very perfect. Why you don't clearly tell us that?

On the other hand, native client is also needed for Interbase/Firebird? And I want to know that to access MS Access, Sybase, DB2, DBF is only by ODBC?

[AndreyZ]

SDAC does not work with SQL Server directly. SDAC can work with SQL Server using two providers: OLE DB that is shipped with MDAC, and SQL Native Client that is shipped with SQL Server. You can find the differences between these providers at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms131035.aspx . As MDAC is supplied with Windows, you are able to work with SQL Server without SQL Native Client.

On the other hand, native client is also needed for Interbase/Firebird?

Yes ,to work with InterBase/Firebird, you should use theirs client libraries, gds32.dll and fbclient.dll correspondingly.

And I want to know that to access MS Access, Sybase, DB2, DBF is only by ODBC?

Yes, you can work with MS Access, Sybase, DB2, DBF via ODBC only.

[stlcours]

SDAC does not work with SQL Server directly. SDAC can work with SQL Server using two providers: OLE DB that is shipped with MDAC, and SQL Native Client that is shipped with SQL Server.

Excuse-me, my question is about unidac. I find unidac can work for sql server without native client. That is not told by your adverising. I do the test also for SDAC which doesn't need native client, so think it work with sql server directly(by oledb)?.

[AndreyZ]

My previous answer is true for both UniDAC and SDAC. They both can work with SQL Server using two providers: OLE DB that is shipped with MDAC, and SQL Native Client that is shipped with SQL Server. Regardless of which provider is used, there is still usage of a client software.
The direct mode that UniDAC supports for Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLIte, and NexusDB is established directly via TCP/IP protocol, without using any of client software.

[stlcours]

OK, Thank you very much for your answer. I had not really understood what means "directly", and now I understand. But as MDAC is already shipped by windows, maybe we can consider it is "directly". Thanks you again!

[AndreyZ]

You are welcome. If any other questions come up, please contact us.