Merant DataDirect, which provides ODBC and JDBC solutions, will extend its DataDirect ODBC technology to Mac OS X, enabling Mac software developers to connect their Mac OS X applications to databases such as SQL Server, Sybase, and Informix.
Open DataBase Connectivity (ODBC) is an application-programming interface (API) that lets a programmer abstract a program from a database. Java DataBase Connectivity (JDBC) is an open system that can be used to generate requests to the back-end of a database server.
Based on the latest ODBC 3.5 specification, DataDirect Connect ODBC 3.7 drivers communicate via the database vendors’ wire-level protocols, enabling faster and more direct data access without requiring the use of database client libraries, according to said Eric Egertson, Merant vice president of business development. DataDirect’s wire-level ODBC drivers are designed to provide better performance and simplified configuration. DataDirect Connect ODBC 3.7 supports all features and functionality of Mac OS X, including multi-processing, an Aqua-based configuration utility, and connectivity with all applications built for Mac OS X.
Besides adding support for Mac OS X, Merant is also beefing up its ODBC offering for Apple’s “classic” Mac operating system by adding support for SQL Server 7/2000 and the latest ODBC specification: version 3.5. All Merant DataDirect offerings for Mac platforms are currently available for OEM (original equipment manufacturer) licensing by commercial software vendors via Merant’s OEM sales division. They’re also available for direct purchase via Merant’s channel partner, Metro Technologies.
Availability schedules for both the classic Mac OS upgrade and the DataDirect for Mac OS X product are available at the product Web site.