Hubbry Logo
OLE DBOLE DBMain
Open search
OLE DB
Community hub
OLE DB
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
OLE DB
OLE DB
OLE DB
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

OLE DB (Object Linking and Embedding, Database, sometimes written as OLEDB or OLE-DB) is an API designed by Microsoft that allows accessing data from a variety of sources in a uniform manner.[1][2] The API provides a set of interfaces implemented using the Component Object Model (COM); it is otherwise unrelated to OLE. Microsoft originally intended OLE DB as a higher-level replacement for, and successor to, ODBC, extending its feature set to support a wider variety of non-relational databases, such as object databases and spreadsheets that do not necessarily implement.

Methodology

[edit]

OLE DB separates the data store from the application that needs access to it through a set of abstractions that include the datasource, session, command, and rowsets. This was done because different applications need access to different types and sources of data, and do not necessarily want to know how to access functionality with technology-specific methods. OLE DB is conceptually divided into consumers and providers. The consumers are the applications that need access to the data, and the providers are the software components that implement the interface and thereby provides the data to the consumer. OLE DB is part of the Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC).

Support status

[edit]

Microsoft's release of SQL Server 2012 (internal code: 'Denali') is the last to include an OLE DB provider for SQL Server, but support will continue for 7 years.[3] According to a related Microsoft FAQ,[4] "Providers like ADO.NET which can run on top of OLE DB will not support OLE DB once the latter is deprecated", but the same answer in the FAQ states that the original post relates only to the OLE DB provider for SQL Server, so the position of OLE DB itself remains unclear. The same FAQ states that ODBC performs better than OLE DB in most cases.

However, during subsequent reviews it was determined that deprecation was a mistake because substantial scenarios within SQL Server still depend on OLE DB and changing those would break some existing customer scenarios. On Oct 6, 2017 Microsoft announced that OLE DB was undeprecated, and a new version to maintain dependencies would be released in early 2018.[5]

OLE DB providers

[edit]

An OLE DB provider is a software component that enables an OLE DB consumer to interact with a data source. OLE DB providers are analogous to ODBC drivers, JDBC drivers, and ADO.NET data providers.

OLE DB providers can be created to access such simple data stores as a text file and spreadsheet, through to such complex databases as Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, Sybase ASE, and many others. It can also provide access to hierarchical data stores such as email systems.

However, because different data store technologies can have different capabilities, every OLE DB provider cannot implement every possible interface available in the OLE DB standard. The capabilities that are available are implemented through the use of COM objects; an OLE DB provider will map the data store technologies functionality to a particular COM interface. Microsoft describes the availability of an interface as "provider-specific," as it may not be applicable depending on the data store technology involved. Providers may augment the capabilities of a data store; these capabilities are known as services in Microsoft parlance.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

OLE DB

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
OLE DB is a set of Component Object Model (COM) interfaces developed by Microsoft that enables applications to access data uniformly from diverse sources, such as relational database management systems (DBMS), file systems, spreadsheets, indexed-sequential files, personal databases, and web-based repositories, without requiring data migration to a single format. Introduced as part of the Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) in the late 1990s, OLE DB extends beyond traditional SQL-based access by supporting non-relational and semi-structured data, allowing developers to build applications that interact with heterogeneous data environments through standardized APIs. Its architecture revolves around consumers (applications that request data) and providers (components that expose data from specific sources), with key objects including data sources for connections, sessions for managing interactions, commands for executing queries, and rowsets for retrieving and manipulating data rows. One of the primary advantages of OLE DB is its ability to encapsulate database services like querying, transactions, and security directly within data providers, reducing redundancy and enabling efficient interoperability across Microsoft's ecosystem, including tools like and . Unlike ODBC, which focuses primarily on relational databases via SQL, OLE DB supports a broader range of data types and sources through its extensible COM framework, making it suitable for universal data access in enterprise applications. Historically, the original OLE DB Provider for SQL Server (SQLOLEDB) was bundled with MDAC and used for connecting to SQL Server versions from 7.0 onward, but it was deprecated in favor of the SQL Server Native Client (SNAC) in 2005, which included an enhanced OLE DB provider (SQLNCLI) supporting features like XML data types and multiple active result sets. In 2011, Microsoft deprecated SNAC's OLE DB components amid a shift toward newer technologies, but reversed this decision in 2017 due to demand from legacy applications, releasing the Microsoft OLE DB Driver for SQL Server (MSOLEDBSQL) in 2018 as a standalone, actively maintained driver. The current version, MSOLEDBSQL, provides high-performance connectivity to SQL Server 2012 (version 11.0) and later and Azure SQL Database via standard OLE DB interfaces, incorporating modern features such as Always Encrypted support, Azure Active Directory authentication, and diagnostics through Extended Events. While OLE DB remains integral for native Windows applications requiring direct data access, Microsoft recommends it primarily for SQL Server scenarios in new development, with ODBC or .NET providers like Entity Framework preferred for broader or cross-platform needs.

Introduction

Definition and Purpose

OLE DB is a high-performance, (COM)-based database technology designed to provide applications with a uniform method for accessing stored in diverse formats and locations. It consists of a set of COM interfaces that enable interaction with a wide array of data sources, including relational databases, non-relational stores such as spreadsheets and object databases, and hierarchical data structures. This approach allows developers to treat varied data repositories as tabular or rowset-based entities, abstracting away the underlying storage differences. The core purpose of OLE DB is to deliver a vendor-neutral and extensible framework for data consumers—such as applications or —to connect and query data providers without writing source-specific code. Unlike ODBC, which primarily targets relational through SQL-based access, OLE DB broadens this scope to support non-relational and , facilitating seamless integration across heterogeneous environments. This design promotes scalability and adaptability in data-driven applications by standardizing access patterns while accommodating custom extensions through its COM foundation. Key benefits of OLE DB include its uniform access model, which reduces development complexity by providing consistent interfaces regardless of data source type; support for complex data types, including binary large objects (BLOBs) and structured objects via COM; and deep integration with the Windows operating system ecosystem through COM, enabling efficient, high-performance data operations in native applications. OLE DB was announced in as a cornerstone of Microsoft's unified data access strategy, combining with Data Objects (ADO) to streamline data connectivity across enterprise systems.

History and Development

OLE DB was developed by in late 1996 as a successor to earlier data access technologies such as (ODBC), Data Access Objects (DAO), and Remote Data Objects (RDO), with the goal of establishing a (COM)-based universal data access layer that could provide uniform access to diverse data sources beyond traditional relational databases. The initiative built upon ODBC's SQL-focused interface while extending support to non-relational data like mainframes, desktop files, and resources, aiming to enhance interoperability across enterprise environments. The OLE DB (SDK) version 1.0 was made available on September 3, 1996, marking the formal introduction of these COM interfaces for developers. OLE DB was first integrated into Data Access Components (MDAC) starting with version 1.0 in August 1996. It saw significant enhancements with integrated into MDAC in summer 1998, introducing greater maturity and extensions like OLE DB for (OLAP) to handle multidimensional data. By 2000, OLE DB evolved further with enhanced support for XML and web data integration, particularly through its role in SQL Server 2000, which enabled XML querying over HTTP and data manipulation in browser-based applications via OLE DB providers. This version remained included in SQL Server releases up to 2012, supporting features like the SQLOLEDB provider for native connectivity. Key milestones included a planned deprecation announcement in August 2011, when aligned native relational data access toward ODBC for SQL Server releases starting with code name "" (SQL Server 2012), citing 's limitations in modern scenarios while committing to seven years of support. However, due to significant dependencies in SQL Server ecosystems, reversed this decision on , 2017, undeprecating and releasing the new Driver for SQL Server (MSOLEDBSQL) in early 2018 to maintain and add features like and TLS 1.2 support. As of 2025, MSOLEDBSQL continues to be actively maintained, with version 19.4.1 released in May 2025, supporting modern features such as Always Encrypted and Azure Active Directory authentication. This shift reflected broader influences from 's transition to .NET technologies, where emerged as the primary data access framework for managed code, positioning as an underlying enabler for legacy and native applications.

Architecture

Core Components

OLE DB's architecture is built upon the (COM), enabling high levels of among diverse data sources and applications by standardizing data access through a set of interfaces. This design promotes a layered model that separates the physical data storage from the logic used to access and manipulate it, allowing for flexible integration in multi-tier environments without relying on traditional client-server paradigms. In this model, data is typically exposed in a tabular format, facilitating uniform handling regardless of the underlying source, such as relational databases or flat files. At the core of this architecture are consumers and providers. Consumers are applications, , or system components that initiate data access requests by invoking methods on OLE DB interfaces to retrieve, update, or manage data. Examples include business applications like tools or that query data sources for reporting purposes. Providers, in contrast, are COM-based software components that implement these interfaces to encapsulate and expose data from specific sources, translating native data formats into the standardized OLE DB structure for consumers. For instance, a provider for a might handle SQL queries, while a file-based provider could expose data as rowsets. This provider-consumer interaction ensures that consumers remain agnostic to the data source's specifics, enhancing portability and scalability. Service components further support the architecture by providing auxiliary functionality that bridges consumers and providers. Enumerators facilitate the discovery and instantiation of available providers by scanning system registries or configurations to list compatible components for a given data source. Error objects, extensions of COM automation error mechanisms, allow providers and other components to return detailed information, including descriptions and help contexts, enabling robust error handling across the . Additionally, service providers act as intermediaries that enhance data access without owning the data themselves; they consume from underlying providers and produce augmented outputs, such as through cursor services for result set navigation or data shaping for hierarchical views. These components collectively ensure reliable discovery, error management, and extended capabilities in the OLE DB ecosystem.) The runtime environment for OLE DB is provided by Data Access Components (MDAC), which supplies foundational services to streamline operations. MDAC includes OLE DB core services that manage resource efficiency, notably through automatic connection pooling, where data source connections are cached and reused to minimize overhead in high-frequency access scenarios. By invoking these services—typically via interfaces like IDataInitialize—applications can leverage pooling without custom implementation, supporting features such as session persistence and transaction enlistment. This integration abstracts low-level details, allowing consumers to focus on logic while MDAC handles the underlying COM-based . Consumers interact with provider abstractions like data sources and rowsets through this environment to execute operations efficiently.

Data Access Model

The OLE DB data access model is structured around a of abstract objects that enable consumers to connect to and interact with diverse data sources in a manner. The foundational abstraction is the data source object, which handles initialization, connection management, and property configuration, including authentication details, to establish a link to the underlying such as a database or . From this object, sessions are created to scope operations within the data source, allowing for managed interactions like query execution and transaction handling while providing access to metadata about the . Commands represent executable units, typically text-based instructions such as SQL statements, which are processed to retrieve or manipulate data. Finally, rowsets serve as the primary mechanism for presenting and navigating tabular data, supporting operations like scrolling through rows, updating records, and binding columns to consumer variables for access. The typical access flow begins with the consumer initializing a data source object to connect to the target data store, specifying necessary properties and credentials. Once connected, the consumer creates a session from the data source object to define the operational context. Within this session, a command is prepared and executed—often a query like a SELECT statement—which generates one or more rowsets containing the results. The consumer then binds to the rowset's columns and rows to retrieve, navigate, or modify data as needed, ensuring efficient data transfer without direct access to the underlying storage. The model inherently supports advanced features to enhance data handling. Sessions manage transactions that adhere to ACID properties (atomicity, consistency, isolation, and ), enabling reliable multi-operation sequences across the data source. Schema rowsets, accessible via sessions, provide metadata about database structures, such as tables, columns, and indexes, facilitating informed query construction. Commands can produce multiple result sets in a single execution, allowing efficient retrieval of related data outputs. For extensibility, the model permits providers to implement optional capabilities, such as indexed rowsets for optimized navigation or change notifications to alert cooperating consumers of updates in shared rowsets. Providers play a key role in realizing this model by tailoring the abstractions to specific data sources.

Implementation

Providers and Consumers

In OLE DB, providers are COM-based components that expose data sources or services through standardized interfaces, while consumers are applications or components that access those data sources by interacting with the providers. Providers are categorized into data providers, which directly expose tabular from sources such as relational , and service providers, which offer additional functionalities like data shaping or persistence on top of other providers. Consumers rely on these providers to retrieve, manipulate, and store in a uniform manner, independent of the underlying storage format. Developing an OLE DB provider involves creating a (DLL) that implements the necessary COM interfaces to expose the data source. Developers must implement mandatory interfaces such as IDBInitialize for initialization and IOpenRowset for accessing rowsets, while optional interfaces like IRowset can be added for enhanced functionality. Property sets, defined through DBPROPSET structures, are used to describe the provider's capabilities, such as supported types, transaction levels, and cursor models, allowing consumers to query and adapt to the provider's features dynamically. The OLE DB Simple Provider (OSP) Toolkit provides a framework to simplify this process for non-relational or simple data sources, where developers override OSP methods like GetRow or SetData to map application-specific to OLE DB rowsets, and then register the DLL using Regsvr32.exe along with a custom registration script.) Consumers interact with providers by first obtaining the provider's class identifier (CLSID), then instantiating the data source object via the COM function CoCreateInstance, specifying the CLSID and the interface identifier (IID) such as IID_IDBInitialize. Once instantiated, the consumer sets connection properties using IDBProperties::SetProperties, initializes the connection with IDBInitialize::Initialize, and handles errors by checking HRESULT return codes with macros like FAILED. This process enables the consumer to bind to the provider and proceed to execute commands or access data, with the data access abstractions providing a consistent model for rowsets and commands. The following pseudocode illustrates a basic consumer connection sequence:

HRESULT hr; IDBInitialize* pIDBInitialize = NULL; // Instantiate the data source object hr = CoCreateInstance(CLSID_MSOLEDBSQL, NULL, CLSCTX_INPROC_SERVER, IID_IDBInitialize, (void**)&pIDBInitialize); if (FAILED(hr)) { // Handle instantiation failure return; } // Set properties (e.g., server, database) DBPROPSET props = {0}; props.guidPropertySet = DBPROPSET_DBINIT; props.cProperties = 2; props.rgProperties[0].dwPropertyID = DBPROP_INIT_DATASOURCE; props.rgProperties[0].vValue.vt = VT_BSTR; props.rgProperties[0].vValue.bstrVal = SysAllocString(L"server_name"); props.rgProperties[1].dwPropertyID = DBPROP_INIT_CATALOG; props.rgProperties[1].vValue.vt = VT_BSTR; props.rgProperties[1].vValue.bstrVal = SysAllocString(L"database_name"); IDBProperties* pIDBProperties = NULL; hr = pIDBInitialize->QueryInterface(IID_IDBProperties, (void**)&pIDBProperties); if (SUCCEEDED(hr)) { hr = pIDBProperties->SetProperties(1, &props); pIDBProperties->Release(); } // Initialize the connection hr = pIDBInitialize->Initialize(); if (FAILED(hr)) { // Handle initialization failure pIDBInitialize->Release(); return; } // Proceed with data access... pIDBInitialize->Release();

HRESULT hr; IDBInitialize* pIDBInitialize = NULL; // Instantiate the data source object hr = CoCreateInstance(CLSID_MSOLEDBSQL, NULL, CLSCTX_INPROC_SERVER, IID_IDBInitialize, (void**)&pIDBInitialize); if (FAILED(hr)) { // Handle instantiation failure return; } // Set properties (e.g., server, database) DBPROPSET props = {0}; props.guidPropertySet = DBPROPSET_DBINIT; props.cProperties = 2; props.rgProperties[0].dwPropertyID = DBPROP_INIT_DATASOURCE; props.rgProperties[0].vValue.vt = VT_BSTR; props.rgProperties[0].vValue.bstrVal = SysAllocString(L"server_name"); props.rgProperties[1].dwPropertyID = DBPROP_INIT_CATALOG; props.rgProperties[1].vValue.vt = VT_BSTR; props.rgProperties[1].vValue.bstrVal = SysAllocString(L"database_name"); IDBProperties* pIDBProperties = NULL; hr = pIDBInitialize->QueryInterface(IID_IDBProperties, (void**)&pIDBProperties); if (SUCCEEDED(hr)) { hr = pIDBProperties->SetProperties(1, &props); pIDBProperties->Release(); } // Initialize the connection hr = pIDBInitialize->Initialize(); if (FAILED(hr)) { // Handle initialization failure pIDBInitialize->Release(); return; } // Proceed with data access... pIDBInitialize->Release();

Best practices for provider development include versioning the provider through unique CLSIDs for major updates to avoid breaking existing consumers, gracefully handling queries for optional interfaces by returning E_NOINTERFACE if unsupported, and using property sets to explicitly advertise supported features for better . Testing should involve tools like the Rowset Viewer sample to validate consumer-provider interactions across different configurations. For consumers, always release interfaces promptly to manage resources and implement comprehensive error handling for HRESULT codes to ensure robust connections.

Key Interfaces

The key interfaces in OLE DB form the foundation for data access, transaction management, and advanced operations, enabling consumers to interact with providers through standardized COM-based APIs. Mandatory interfaces ensure basic connectivity and , while optional ones extend functionality for transactions, queries, metadata, and resource binding. These interfaces are implemented on specific OLE DB objects such as data source objects, sessions, and rowsets, allowing for modular and extensible data access. Among the mandatory interfaces, IDBInitialize is required on data source objects to manage the lifecycle of connections by initializing and uninitializing resources, such as establishing a connection to a upon calling its Initialize method and releasing resources via Uninitialize. Similarly, IDBCreateSession, also mandatory on initialized data source objects, enables the creation of session objects for scoped database operations through its CreateSession method, which returns an interface pointer to the new session for further interactions like executing commands or opening rowsets. For direct access to tabular data, IOpenRowset is a required interface on sessions in providers that support table-based rowsets without commands; its OpenRowset method opens a rowset containing all rows from a specified base table or index, facilitating simple data retrieval without complex queries. Complementing this, IRowset serves as the core interface on rowset objects for navigating and manipulating fetched data, offering methods like GetNextRows for sequential fetching, GetData for retrieving column values via accessors, ReleaseRows for resource cleanup, and RestartPosition to reset the cursor, thus enabling efficient forward-only or bookmark-based navigation through result sets. Transaction interfaces support ACID-compliant operations by allowing local and control. ITransactionJoin, an optional interface on sessions, enables enlisting in coordinated by an external transaction manager, with its JoinTransaction method joining a session to a specified transaction object and GetOptionsObject configuring join behaviors like isolation levels. For local transactions, ITransactionLocal, another optional session interface inheriting from ITransaction, provides explicit control over transaction boundaries through StartTransaction to begin a new transaction, along with inherited Commit and Abort methods to ensure atomicity, consistency, isolation, and durability in single-resource operations. Advanced interfaces extend core functionality for sophisticated data handling. ICommand, mandatory on command objects created via sessions, supports executing text-based commands such as SQL statements, with methods like Execute to run the command and return rowsets or other objects, Cancel to interrupt execution, and GetDBSession to retrieve the originating session; it facilitates parameterized queries by allowing repeated executions with varying input values bound through accessors. For metadata access, IDBSchemaRowset, an optional interface on data source or session objects, retrieves schema information via rowsets, using GetRowset to obtain details like tables (DBSCHEMA_TABLES), columns (DBSCHEMA_COLUMNS), or provider types (DBSCHEMA_PROVIDER_TYPES) with restriction columns to filter results, and GetSchemas to enumerate available schema GUIDs. Additionally, IBindResource, mandatory on binder objects and optional on sessions or rowsets, supports binding to URL-identified resources for streaming data, with its Bind method returning a stream, rowset, or other object directly from a resource locator, enabling efficient access to large or remote data without full initialization. Security features are integrated through initialization interfaces and properties. IDataInitialize, a service-provided interface not tied to specific objects, simplifies secure connection establishment by creating data source objects from connection strings via GetDataSource, which can include authentication details like user IDs and passwords, or retrieving strings with GetInitializationString for persistence; it supports asynchronous initialization and interacts with properties such as DBPROP_AUTH_INTEGRATED (for Windows ) and DBPROP_AUTH_PASSWORD (for explicit credentials) to enforce secure access controls during connection setup.

Integration with ADO and MDAC

ActiveX Data Objects (ADO) serves as a high-level, easy-to-use interface built on top of OLE DB, providing developers with an abstraction layer that simplifies access to diverse data sources without requiring direct interaction with OLE DB's low-level interfaces. In this architecture, ADO's Recordset objects map directly to OLE DB rowsets, enabling seamless retrieval and manipulation of tabular data, while the Connection object establishes links to data sources through OLE DB providers, handling and session management. This design allows ADO applications to leverage OLE DB's performance and extensibility for building data-driven applications across various environments. Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) encompasses a suite of technologies where OLE DB forms the core services for native data access, complemented by the ODBC bridge (via the MSDASQL provider) for compatibility with ODBC drivers, and ADO as the primary automation layer for . Together, these components enable developers to create scalable, multi-tier applications that connect to relational databases, non-relational data stores, and legacy systems, with OLE DB providing the foundational access mechanism that ADO and ODBC build upon. OLE DB played a central role in MDAC 2.8, released in 2003, which enhanced data access capabilities by incorporating ADO 2.8 with improved XML persistence features for Recordsets, allowing developers to save and load data in XML format for better interoperability and web integration. This version marked a key evolution in the MDAC stack, emphasizing OLE DB's integration with emerging standards like XML while maintaining backward compatibility. Subsequently, MDAC transitioned into Windows Data Access Components (WDAC) with Windows Vista, where the components—including updated versions of ADO, OLE DB, and ODBC—were natively integrated into the operating system, functionally equivalent to MDAC 2.8 but optimized for the new platform without separate redistribution. In modern usage scenarios, provides a bridge to OLE DB for legacy compatibility, allowing .NET applications to connect to older data sources via the OleDbConnection class and OLE DB providers, thus extending support for systems that predate native .NET data providers. This integration ensures that applications can maintain access to historical databases and non-SQL data stores without full rewrites, leveraging OLE DB's established ecosystem within the broader Microsoft data access framework.

Comparison with ODBC

OLE DB and ODBC represent two distinct approaches to database connectivity developed by , with OLE DB built on the (COM) for an object-oriented, extensible , while ODBC employs a call-level, procedural interface focused primarily on relational databases. OLE DB's COM-based design allows for modular components that support a broader range of data access patterns, including rowsets and schema rowsets, whereas ODBC relies on SQL function calls through drivers, making it more straightforward but less adaptable to non-SQL paradigms. This architectural difference enables OLE DB to integrate seamlessly with other COM technologies, contrasting with ODBC's emphasis on standardized SQL execution across database management systems. In terms of scope, OLE DB extends beyond relational databases to encompass non-relational data sources such as hierarchical files, spreadsheets, and services, providing a unified access model for diverse information. ODBC, however, is inherently limited to SQL-based relational databases, requiring specific drivers for each supported system and lacking native support for non-tabular data structures. As a result, OLE DB facilitates access to a wider , including directory services and XML files, while ODBC's relational focus ensures compatibility with traditional SQL environments but restricts its applicability in heterogeneous data scenarios. Performance characteristics vary by use case: ODBC typically offers faster execution for simple, sequential SQL queries and bulk operations due to its lighter procedural overhead, often outperforming OLE DB in relational workloads by reducing layers of abstraction. In contrast, OLE DB excels in complex, object-oriented access involving concurrent updates and multiple locking models, where its extensible interface minimizes data copying and supports advanced features like multi-threading, though it may introduce COM-related latency in basic scenarios. Migration between the two is supported through tools such as the OLE DB Provider for ODBC, which allows OLE DB consumers to access ODBC sources, and dedicated guidance for converting SQL Server applications from OLE DB to ODBC APIs. recommends using the ODBC Driver for SQL Server for new applications targeting relational databases, particularly to leverage ongoing updates and broader platform support, while advising OLE DB for legacy COM-based systems requiring non-relational access. The primary advantages of OLE DB include its flexibility for diverse data types and integration with Windows ecosystems, though it faces challenges with complexity and a smaller provider ecosystem compared to ODBC's simplicity, cross-platform availability, and extensive driver support for SQL databases. ODBC's drawbacks stem from its SQL-centric limitations and potential inconsistencies across drivers, while OLE DB's extensibility comes at the cost of steeper learning curves and performance overhead in straightforward queries.

Current Status

Support and Deprecation History

In 2011, Microsoft announced the deprecation of the OLE DB provider for SQL Server with the release of SQL Server 2012, marking it as the last version to include the provider, with support planned to continue for seven years until approximately 2019. However, in 2017, Microsoft reversed this decision due to customer demand and ongoing reliance on OLE DB for legacy applications, undeprecating the technology and initiating development of a new standalone driver. This culminated in the release of the Microsoft OLE DB Driver for SQL Server (MSOLEDBSQL) version 18 in 2018, providing updated connectivity without dependency on SQL Server Native Client. As of November 2025, the OLE DB Driver for SQL Server is maintained under Microsoft's Modern Lifecycle Policy, which ensures continuous support, security updates, and feature enhancements as long as users remain current with the latest versions. The latest general availability version is 19.4.1, offering mainstream support until at least January 11, 2028, with extended support available thereafter under SQL Server agreements. This driver supports connectivity to SQL Server 2025 and earlier versions (from 2012 onward), as well as Azure SQL Database. Microsoft recommends ODBC as the preferred alternative for new native application development due to its broader standardization and ongoing enhancements, while advising for modern .NET applications to abstract data access layers. Despite this, OLE DB remains viable for existing ADO-based or COM-integrated scenarios requiring direct OLE DB APIs. The driver provides backward compatibility on and (version 19.3.3 and later), though it receives no new architectural features beyond security patches and minor fixes aligned with the Modern Lifecycle Policy. Older providers like SQLOLEDB are deprecated and should be migrated to MSOLEDBSQL to ensure continued security updates.

Notable Providers

One of the most prominent OLE DB providers is the OLE DB Driver for SQL Server (MSOLEDBSQL), which enables connectivity to SQL Server instances and Azure SQL Database through standard OLE DB APIs, supporting advanced features such as Always Encrypted for data protection in transit and at rest. This driver is designed for high-performance native Windows applications and is actively maintained, with version 19.x incorporating enhancements like support for Azure Active Directory authentication. In contrast, the legacy SQLOLEDB provider, known as the OLE DB Provider for SQL Server, facilitates ADO-based access to SQL Server databases, particularly those from version 2005 onward, but it lacks the modern security and protocol updates found in MSOLEDBSQL. Among third-party providers, the Provider for OLE DB (OraOLEDB) delivers reliable, high-performance access to Oracle databases for applications using ADO or OLE DB interfaces, enabling seamless integration with Oracle's relational features like stored procedures and advanced querying. It supports full Oracle integration, including connection pooling and distributed transactions, making it suitable for enterprise environments requiring cross-database operations. Similarly, the OLE DB Provider for Db2 allows Db2 servers to function as OLE DB resource managers, permitting applications to query and manipulate Db2 data through standardized OLE interfaces while supporting Db2-specific capabilities like multi-row operations. The OLE DB Provider for Jet (Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0), part of Jet 4.0, targets file-based data sources such as databases and Excel spreadsheets, opening them in read/write mode by default for straightforward data access in desktop applications. However, it is limited to 32-bit environments and does not support advanced transactional controls, restricting its use to simpler scenarios without complex concurrency requirements. For open-source databases, third-party options like the OLE DB Provider enable OLE DB connectivity to servers, bridging ADO applications to MySQL's storage engine for relational data handling, though it often relies on underlying ODBC wrappers for broader compatibility. In specialized domains, the AVEVA Historian OLE DB provider (INSQL) is tailored for industrial time-series data, integrating with AVEVA Historian servers to expose historical process data via OLE DB queries linked to , facilitating analysis in manufacturing and systems. Capabilities across these providers vary significantly; for instance, while MSOLEDBSQL and OraOLEDB offer robust support for OLE DB's full interface set including sessions and rowsets, providers like Jet 4.0 omit advanced features such as distributed transactions, emphasizing lightweight access over enterprise-scale operations.

References

  1. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/ms718124(v=vs.85)
  2. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/connect/connect-history?view=sql-server-ver17
  3. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/data/oledb/ole-db-programming-overview?view=msvc-170
  4. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/connect/oledb/oledb-driver-for-sql-server?view=sql-server-ver17
  5. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/ms718124%28v=vs.85%29
  6. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/ms709836%28v=vs.85%29
  7. http://ftp.sas.com/techsup/download/v8papers/odbcdb.pdf
  8. https://news.microsoft.com/source/1996/09/03/microsoft-announces-availability-of-ole-db-software-development-kit/
  9. https://www.mcpressonline.com/programming/apis/the-odbc-and-ole-db-strategy-guide
  10. https://support.sas.com/resources/papers/proceedings/proceedings/sugi24/Dataware/p136-24.pdf
  11. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/msdn-magazine/2000/march/sql-server-2000-new-xml-features-streamline-web-centric-app-development
  12. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/sqlnativeclient/microsoft-is-aligning-with-odbc-for-native-relational-data-access
  13. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/sqlnativeclient/announcing-the-new-release-of-ole-db-driver-for-sql-server
  14. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/msdn-magazine/2004/july/data-points-migrating-from-ado-to-ado-net
  15. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/connect/oledb/download-oledb-driver-for-sql-server?view=sql-server-ver17
  16. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/data/oledb/ole-db-consumers-and-providers?view=msvc-170
  17. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/ms709836(v=vs.85)
  18. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/data/oledb/resource-pooling-in-your-ole-db-application?view=msvc-170
  19. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/data/oledb/ole-db-object-model?view=msvc-170
  20. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/ms721067(v=vs.85)
  21. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/connect/oledb/ole-db-driver/establishing-a-connection-to-a-data-source?view=sql-server-ver17
  22. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/ms713706(v=vs.85)
  23. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/ms724076(v=vs.85)
  24. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/ms716946(v=vs.85)
  25. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/ms720986(v=vs.85)
  26. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/ms718071(v=vs.85)
  27. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/ms714893(v=vs.85)
  28. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/ms709737(v=vs.85)
  29. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/ms713686(v=vs.85)
  30. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/ms714936(v=vs.85)
  31. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/ms714296(v=vs.85)
  32. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/client-developer/access/desktop-database-reference/the-role-of-ado-in-microsoft-data-access
  33. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/client-developer/access/desktop-database-reference/rowset-property-ado
  34. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/client-developer/access/desktop-database-reference/adorecordsetconstruction-interface-ado
  35. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/connect/oledb/applications/using-ado-with-oledb-driver-for-sql-server?view=sql-server-ver17
  36. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/connect/oledb/applications/updating-an-application-to-oledb-driver-for-sql-server-from-mdac?view=sql-server-ver17
  37. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/ms692897%28v=vs.85%29
  38. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/ms692877%28v=vs.85%29
  39. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/client-developer/access/desktop-database-reference/persisting-records-in-xml-format
  40. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=21995
  41. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/framework/data/adonet/connection-string-syntax
  42. https://www.cdata.com/blog/oledb-vs-odbc
  43. https://blog.devart.com/oledb-vs-odbc-which-driver-to-choose.html
  44. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/client-developer/access/desktop-database-reference/microsoft-ole-db-provider-for-odbc
  45. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/1322073/is-it-always-preferable-to-upgrade-to-the-odbc-dri
  46. https://tdwi.org/articles/2012/03/27/sql-server-2012-end-of-era.aspx
  47. https://www.dbdelta.com/deprecated-sql-server-data-access-technologies/
  48. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/connect/oledb/support-lifecycle?view=sql-server-ver17
  49. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/connect/oledb/applications/support-policies-for-oledb-driver-for-sql-server?view=sql-server-ver17
  50. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/client-developer/access/desktop-database-reference/microsoft-ole-db-provider-for-sql-server
  51. https://www.oracle.com/database/technologies/provider-ole-db.html
  52. https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/oracle-database/26/oledb/index.html
  53. https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/db2/12.1.0?topic=applications-ole-db
  54. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/client-developer/access/desktop-database-reference/microsoft-ole-db-provider-for-microsoft-jet
  55. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/microsoft-365-apps/access/jet-odbc-driver-available-32-bit-version
  56. https://www.connectionstrings.com/mysql-oledb-mysqlprov/info-and-download/
  57. https://docs.aveva.com/bundle/sp-historian/page/67260.html
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.