This version of SHAZAM includes extensive mechanisms for data handling and these can be found under the 'Data' menu. This version incorporates a feature known as the Advanced Data Connector. This connector provides universal data access mechanisms using Microsoft® Active Data Objects (ADO) to connect to all Local Machine, Network and Internet databases. A default set of drivers for a number of common data sources are installed with this version.

The Advanced Data Connector in SHAZAM contains two components. The Microsoft Data Link and the Preview Window. The Data Link is the standard Microsoft ADO Data Connection dialog used to make the data connection string. This string is then used by SHAZAM as the basis to making the data connection and communicating with the data provider. A successful connection displays the data Preview Window which is used to display the data contained in the data source and is comprised of two panels – a SQL panel and results grid.

Default connectors installed include: 

Other drivers may be obtained and installed for most databases available today and additional drivers can be obtained from Microsoft or the database provider. Please consult the installation instructions provided with those drivers. SHAZAM does not provide drivers for data sources other than the ones supplied with the version of Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) supplied with this version of SHAZAM.

Once a data source has been successfully connected to, the desired table is displayed in the ‘Preview Window’. A SHAZAM dataset may be easily created from the data displayed in the lower panel of the ‘Preview Window’ by clicking the ‘Import Data’ button on the ‘Preview Window’. 

Further instructions on using the Microsoft Data Link can be found with the online help of SHAZAM Professional Edition, which contains examples, and further help demonstrating how to connect to various data providers.

  
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