AveConnect
(Review by Bob Viola)
AveConnect is a package of robust JDBC drivers that enable Java applications to access databases on multiple platforms. JDBC drivers replaces the JDBC-ODBC bridges currently used in many applications, eliminating configuration issues and expanding the functionality.
As aveConnect is Java-based, it is platform independent. It supports three types of databases including: MS SQL Server, MS Access, and DBF. AveConnect is based on the Sun standards for JDBC drivers. Its programming is more efficiently written than competitive products and allows quicker processing (feedback from inputs).
MS SQL Server
The aveConnect driver for Microsoft SQLServer is a Type 4 JDBC Driver that uses the Microsoft SQLServer’s TDS (Tabular Data Stream) transport protocol for the Native Protocol Driver. The driver for Microsoft SQLServer has two major components:
API Module
The API module consists of the implementation of all the JDBC interfaces specified in the JDBC 2 specification from Sun. The user can access these functions directly from JDBC Applications.
TDS Module
The TDS Module has all lower level classes performing conversions between data and Tabular Data Stream. These classes directly communicate to the server using Sockets.
MS Access
The aveConnect Driver for Microsoft Access is a Type III (Net Protocol – Pure Java) JDBC Driver. Using a Pure Java JDBC driver (instead of JDBC – ODBC Bridge and an ODBC driver) eliminates the client configuration required by an ODBC. The driver for Microsoft Access, being a Type III driver, uses a Universal Network Protocol to communicate with any database server. This is a generalized protocol developed by Atinav.
DBF
Using the aveConnect for DBF, it is possible to create client/server applications in Java that access data in DBF files, and supports multi-user access. The driver for DBF has three major components: SQL Parser, DBF Engine, and Network Library. By using this driver you do not need to use other DBF management engines, i.e., Clipper, Dbase.