BS&A Software & ODBC

BS&A Software uses the Pervasive database engine.   One of the unique traits of Pervasive is that the structure of the data file is not kept in the data itself.  It is for the program, stored in the executable.   Any attempt to access the data outside the program necessitates three things.    You must have:

1) The pervasive 7.x or newer drivers installed.  This is either provided or re-sold by BS&A depending on size.  It would be available elsewhere but  due to cost...it is recommended  that they are purchased through BS&A.

2)  The Data Dictionary Files (ddf's--define the structure of the data for the driver).  These are resold by BS&A and not available elsewhere.

3) Data Source Name--DSN's are created to join the exact driver with the particular ddf and a specific data source.  These are created in windows 2000 or Windows XP by the following:

1. Click on start, go to settings and click on control panel
2. Double click Administrative Tools
3. Double click on Data Sources (ODBC)
4. Click on the system dsn tab
5. Click on the add button
6. Scroll to the bottom and select the pervasive ODBS Engine Interface and click finish
7. Type in the data source name
8. Click the create button
9. Enter the database name, the location of the ddf's and the location of the data and click ok
10. Click yes
11. Click test
12. If connection was good as it should be click ok
13. Click ok to close the ODBC

Once this has been done you should be able to access the data in any odbc compliant application (MS Access, or most GIS  programs come to mind) by referencing the DSN.