ODBC vs. OracleClient for Database Connection/Query 3

[chilly442]

I have been using ODBC to connect and query data from Oracle. I had a co-worker tell me that he doesn't think that I should be using ODBC, and that he uses OracleClient.

What is/are the benefits to using one or the other?
Am I better off using one and not the other?
Using ODBC is what I learned in school. Is using OracleClient just the new way of doing things?



Thanks,
Chilly442
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If I lived anywhere else I'd be Sunny442

 

[ca8msm]

I'd always go with a specific driver over a generic one if you have the option; they are generally faster and more stable as they are written with that product in mind.

Mark,

Darlington Web Design[tab]|[tab]Experts, Information, Ideas & Knowledge[tab]|[tab]ASP.NET Tips & Tricks

 

[Turkbear]

Hi,
In general, I agree that the Client software is usually better, but there are thin-client ODBC drivers out there that use a wire protocol to connect to the Oracle database and these do not even require an Oracle client installed on the workstation ( much like a Java connection).

Here is one I have used ( not an endorsement and I do not work for them):

http://www.datadirect.com/products/odbc/odbc-oracle/index.ssp

To Paraphrase:"The Help you get is proportional to the Help you give.."

 

[jmeckley]

a client specific driver is designed specifically for the client and will preform better and have more client specific features.

I would imagine the teacher said use ODBC as a way to abstract the driver details from the client code. And this is a good practice, however the .net platform allows you to abstract the database specifics using DbProviderFactories.CreateFactory(string). you can configure the specific database in the configuration file. this in turn abstracts the details of which database you are using from your code base.

Jason Meckley
Programmer
Specialty Bakers, Inc.

faq855-7190
faq732-7259

 

[chilly442]

After doing a bit more research into this, I was looking on Microsoft's site and found the following:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.data.oracleclient(v=VS.100).aspx

Looks like OracleClient is going to go away in future versions.

Thanks,
Chilly442
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If I lived anywhere else I'd be Sunny442