ProductsDatabaseSpyDatabase Connection Tool

The DatabaseSpy Connection Tool simplifies connection to multiple database types and suggests preferred connections for each database. It allows you to quickly create connections to any supported database.

The Database Connection Tool can be set to open automatically when DatabaseSpy® 2012 is launched, or you can connect to a new database at any time from the File Menu, or by clicking the Create Connection toolbar icon. When the Connection Tool opens, the Connection Wizard offers the quickest path to existing databases of the most commonly used database types.

DatabaseSpy Database Connection Tool Supported Databases

The DatabaseSpy® 2012 Online Browser supports the following databases:

• Microsoft® SQL Server® 2000, 2005, 2008
• IBM DB2® 8, 9
• IBM DB2 for iSeries® v5.4, 6.1
• Oracle® 9i, 10g, 11g
• Sybase® 12
• MySQL® 4, 5
• PostgreSQL 8
• Microsoft Access™ 2003, 2007

 Click here to download a fully functional, free 30-day trial of Altova® DatabaseSpy® 2012!

Database Connection Settings

After you choose a database type and click Next, the screens that follow will vary based on the features of the driver and database you select. For MySQL, for instance, the drop-down database selection menu and the Test button allow you to verify your settings before attempting to connect.

The driver selections on the left below the Connection Wizard provide customized access and allow you to enter the parameters necessary for each driver type or manually build connection strings. Shown below is an example of a JDBC connection to an Oracle database.

Data Sources and DatabaseSpy Projects

As part of the connection process, you will be asked to provide a Data Source Name. This name appears in the DatabaseSpy Projects helper window to identify the database.

When you save a DatabaseSpy Project file, the Data Source Name and all the driver parameters are preserved. You can reopen the project later and reconnect by clicking the Data Source in the Project window without going through the Connection Tool steps.

DatabaseSpy Project files are a convenient way to save connection details, frequently used SQL query files, database relationship diagrams, and database content and schema comparisons. Visit the Database Projects page for more information on DatabaseSpy projects.

Multiple Database Connections

DatabaseSpy supports multiple simultaneous database connections, even to different database types that require different drivers. The DatabaseSpy Project Window below shows simultaneous connections to the SQL Server Northwind example database using an ADO driver and the MySQL Sakila example database using an ODBC driver.

The Online Browser tab below the Project window opens the DatabaseSpy Online Browser where all connected databases are organized in hierarchical layouts. The Online Browser lets you explore tables and relationships, generate customized SQL statements for each database, create graphical diagrams of table relationships, examine views and stored procedures, and much more. Visit the DatabaseSpy Online Browser page for more details.

Global Resources

DatabaseSpy supports databases as Global Resources. Global resources can have multiple configurations, to conveniently switch from a test database to the active version, for instance. This feature improves productivity and ease of use by simplifying common tasks in DatabaseSpy and creating tighter integration between applications in the Altova MissionKit.

You can define a Global Resource directly within XMLSpy, MapForce, StyleVision, or DatabaseSpy and open it in any other for seamless workflow integration. The DatabaseSpy Global Resources page provides more information about how Global Resources can improve efficiency for complex projects that require multiple Altova MissionKit tools.

See for yourself how easy it is to connect to all your current and new databases with DatabaseSpy® 2012 – download a free 30-day evaluation today!