InterBase Data Access Components (IBDAC) is a library of components that provides access to InterBase, Firebird and Yaffil database servers. IBDAC uses the InterBase client directly to connect to the server. The IBDAC library is designed to help programmers develop faster and cleaner InterBase database applications. IBDAC is a complete replacement for standard InterBase connectivity solutions. It presents an efficient alternative to InterBase Express Components and the Borland Database Engine for access to InterBase. Related Products Advantages of IBDAC Technology IBDAC is a direct connectivity database wrapper built specifically for the InterBase server. IBDAC offers wide coverage of the InterBase feature set, and emphasizes optimized data access strategies. Wide Coverage of InterBase Features By providing access to the most advanced database functionality, IBDAC allows developers to harness the full capabilities of the InterBase server and optimize their database applications. IBDAC provides complete support of InterBase Blobs and Arrays, Unicode character data, and InterBase events.

Optimized Code
The goal of IBDAC is to enable developers to write efficient and flexible database applications. The IBDAC library is implemented using advanced data access algorithms and optimization techniques. Classes and components undergo comprehensive performance tests and are designed to help you write high-performance, lightweight data access layers.

Compatibility with Standard Data Access Components
The IBDAC interface retains compatibility with standard VCL Data Access Components, like BDE and IBX. Existing BDE- and IBX-based applications can be easily migrated to IBDAC and enhanced to take advantage of InterBase-specific features. Project migration can be automated with the BDE/IBX Migration Wizard.

How Does IBDAC Work?

IBDAC uses the InterBase client directly to connect to the server. It is designed to be lightweight. IBDAC consists of a minimal layer between the database server and your code. This extends functionality without sacrificing performance.

In comparison, the Borland Database Engine (BDE) uses several layers to access InterBase, and requires additional data access software to be installed on client machines.

The BDE data transfer protocol is shown below.

BDE Connection Protocol

Using IBDAC lets you avoid using BDE.

IBDAC Connection Flow

Components

IBDAC includes the following components:

• TIBCConnection - sets and controls connection to InterBase database
• TIBCTransaction - provides discrete transaction control over database connections
• TIBCQuery - uses SQL statements to retrieve data from InterBase table or tables, automatically generates missing INSERT, DELETE, UPDATE statements
• TIBCTable - lets you retrieve and update data in a single table without writing SQL statements
• TIBCStoredProc - executes stored procedures and functions, allows to edit cursor data returned as parameter
• TIBCSQL - executes SQL statements and stored procedures, which do not return rowsets
• TIBCScript - executes sequence of SQL statements
• TIBCUpdateSQL - lets you tune update operations for a DataSet component
• TIBCDataSource - provides an interface between a IBDAC dataset components and data-aware controls on a form
• TIBCAlerter - transfers messages between connections
• TIBCSQLMonitor - allows to monitor dynamic SQL executing in IBDAC-based applications
• TIBCConnectDialog - serves for entering username, password and server name
• TCRDBGrid - extends TDBGrid capabilities, provides visual access to filters and incremental search
• TVirtualTable - dataset stores data in memory
• IBCDataAdapter - .NET component, uses TDataSet as data source for retrieving and saving data to System.Data.DataSet
• TCRBatchMove - transfers data between all types of TDataSet descendants

Key Features

The following list describes the main features of InterBase Data Access Components.

• Direct access to server data. Does not require installation of other data provider layers (such as BDE and ODBC)
• VCL, VCL.NET, and CLX versions of library available
• Full support of the latest versions of InterBase, Firebird and Yaffil database servers
• Support for all InterBase data types
• Disconnected Model with automatic connection control for working with data offline
• Local Failover for detecting connection loss and implicitly re-executing certain operations
• All types of local sorting and filtering, including by calculated and lookup fields
• Automatic data updating with TIBCQuery and TIBCTable components
• Unicode and national charsets support
• InterBase Events support
• Advanced script execution functionality with TIBCScript component
• Support for using Macros in SQL
• Easy migration from BDE and IBX with Migration Wizard
• Lets you use Professional Edition of Delphi, C++Builder, and Kylix to develop client/server applications
• Includes annual IBDAC Subscription with Priority Support
• Licensed royalty-free per developer, per team, or per site

Detailed list »

Compatibility

• InterBase versions 5.x and up
• Firebird 2.x, 1.x
• Yaffil

IBDAC is compatible with the following IDEs:

CodeGear RAD Studio 2007 CodeGear C++Builder 2007 CodeGear Delphi 2007 for Win32 Turbo Delphi Professional Turbo Delphi for .NET Professional Turbo C++ Professional Borland Developer Studio 2006, including support of Delphi for Win32, Delphi for .NET and C++Builder Personality Borland Delphi 2005 Borland Delphi 7 Borland Delphi 6 Borland Delphi 5 Borland C++Builder 6 Borland C++Builder 5 Borland Kylix 3 Borland Kylix 2

IBDAC only supports Architect, Enterprise, and Professional IDE editions. Also, IBDAC does not support Kylix Open Edition.

IBDAC Design-Time View

Related Products

You might be also interested in:

• VCL components for other databases:
  Oracle, MySQL, SQL Server, universal components
  
  
• InterBase data access in other technologies:
  dbExpress drivers