Re: Performance of ODBC vs. other access methods -- MIDRANGE-L

Dave Odom wrote:

   8. Performance of ODBC vs. other access methods (Dave Odom)

You wrote:

"I think it does answer your question, although it isn't an answer that
helps
much.

I interpret "it depends" to mean that there is no prevailing wisdom.  I
give
that answer a lot of credence because it was offered by several
luninaries
in the community.

Obviously, if I am interpreting incorrectly I hope someone will correct
me."

No, it doesn't answer the question at all as it doesn't speak to ODBC
vs.(means comparison) other access methods at all.   Instead, it speaks
to indexing strategies and what function I might be doing.


Dave:

Part of the problem is that you've left off some potential qualifiers.This forces readers to make assumptions that might not be valid.

For a particular example, are you wanting to limit to SQL 'set at atime' access? or do you need record-level I/O? If you really needrecord-level I/O, then perhaps ODBC shouldn't be considered. Or, do youhave a client platform in mind (hardware and/or software)? The responsemight differ significantly if the client is another AS/400.

I think you are right about one thing... there is no prevailing wisdom
on this subject.  Perhaps I'm on the wrong forum.

So far, it's hard to tell. _In general,_ ODBC can be "fine". Therecertainly have been specific issues that have needed attention in thepast, such as when the Jet engine might have been involved; but manyissues have resolved themselves if the clients are prepared properly.Further, ODBC drivers from vendors other than IBM might act differently-- there are multiple OS/400 database servers that can accept remote SQLstatements and they can have different characteristics. Would potentialdifferences in cost make a difference? Perhaps you have iSeries Accesslicenses available and don't want to deal with another vendor (or maybeyou _want_ to deal with another vendor). Further, other possibilitiesexist such as OLEDB; but perhaps they're not appropriate for theenvironment that you have in mind.

If you could give just a _general_ description of the environment,something more than basic guidelines could be suggested. With nothing togo on, there just isn't much to say that's directly useful (IMO).


Tom Liotta