The Borland Database Engine

   

The Borland Database Engine (BDE) is a layer directly beneath the VCL. Inprise/Borland created it to allow various database formats to work seamlessly with the VCL. The supported formats are ASCII delimited (text), xBase, Paradox, relational model (also known as SQL/remote databases), and Open Database Connectivity (ODBC). Note that ODBC leaves the door open for any other format (Access, for instance). The first three are handled directly and are, therefore, BDE-native formats. The others are handled through an additional layer.

As you can see, the BDE enables you to use very different database formats without having to purchase and learn new components . In fact, it is often effortless to use different database management systems without changes to the application.

Furthermore, the BDE hides the complexity of many powerful features such as transactions, cached updates, and XML support. The bottom line is that it enables you to concentrate on what data to fetch instead of how to fetch it.

The BDE also abstracts the complexity of connecting to a database by allowing BDE components in the VCL to simply reference an alias . The alias is a name established by the developer or installer by using the BDE administration tool ( bdead min32.exe ) to associate the name with a database driver and its settings, including those that identify the location of the database itself.

As can be expected, there is a price to pay. The BDE can be expensive in terms of memory and disk space. However, all C++Builder and Delphi applications share the BDE.

Accessing data through the BDE is standard when using C++Builder. All the database and data-aware components included with the product are designed for it. This is true for single-tier, two- tier , and even multitier architectures.

Note, however, that Borland has essentially frozen the BDE and is planning to phase it out eventually.


   
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C++ Builder Developers Guide
C++Builder 5 Developers Guide
ISBN: 0672319721
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2002
Pages: 253

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