Oracle Data Access Component (ODAC)

Components that provides connectivity to Oracle from Delphi, Delphi for .NET, C++Builder, Kylix and Free Pascal. ODAC is a replacement for standard Oracle connectivity solutions.

Oracle Data Access Components (ODAC) is a library of components that provides native connectivity to Oracle from Delphi, C++Builder, Lazarus (and Free Pascal) on Windows, Mac OS X, iOS android, Linux and FreeBSD for both 32-bit and 64-bit platforms. The ODAC library is designed to help programmers develop faster and more native Oracle database applications.

ODAC, a high-performance and feature-rich Oracle connectivity solution, is an efficient native alternative to the Borland Database Engine (BDE) and standard dbExpress driver. It provides both possibility of connection to Oracle by means of native Oracle data access and direct access to Oracle without Oracle Client.

Oracle Data Access Components comes in two editions:

• Standard edition includes the ODAC basic connectivity components and ODAC Migration Wizard. ODAC Standard Edition is a cost-effective solution for database application developers who are looking for overall high-performance connectivity to Oracle.
• Professional edition shows off the full power of ODAC, enhancing ODAC Standard Edition with support for Oracle-specific functionality, access to the Direct mode for connecting to the Oracle server directly via TCP/IP and some advanced dataset management features.

You can get Source Access to the Client mode implementation of all the component classes in ODAC by purchasing the special ODAC Professional Edition with Source Code. The source codes of DataSet Manager and Migration Wizard are not distributed. The source code of Oracle Direct Mode is supplied obfuscated.

Key Features:

• Direct Mode: Allows your application to work with Oracle directly via TCP/IP without involving Oracle Client, thus significantly facilitating deployment and configuration of your applications.
  
• Mobile Development: Develompent for iOS and Android mobile devices using ODAC becomes still easier, as ODAC allows your mobile applications to work with Oracle database as simply as desktop applications do.
  
• DB Compatibility: The product supports Oracle servers 12c, 11g, 10g, 9i, 8i, 8.0, including Oracle Express Edition 11g and 10g. Data Type Mapping: If you want to make custom correspondence between Oralce and Delphi data types, you can use a simple and flexible Data Type Mapping engine provided by ODAC.
  
• IDE Compatibility: The product is compatible with the latest IDE versions: Embarcadero RAD Studio 10.1 Berlin, Delphi 10.1 Berlin, C++Builder 10.1 Berlin, Lazarus (and FPC). It is also compatible with the previous IDE versions since Delphi 6 and C++Builder 6.
  
• Development Platforms: Now you can develop not only VCL-based applications in Delphi and LCL-based ones in Lazarus, but also use the newestFireMonkeyapplication development platform.
  
• Performance: All the components and libraries are designed to help you write high-performance, lightweight data access layers, therefore they use advanced data access algorithms and techniques of optimisation.
  
• Monitoring: Use their freeware dbMonitor tool to monitor and analyse all the DB calls made by your application using ODAC. dbMonitor performs percomponent tracing of SQL statementexecution,commits, rollbacks, etc.
  
• Support: Visit Devart's Support page to get instant support from experienced professionals, fast and detailed responses, user engagement and interaction and frequent builds with bug fixes.

Oracle Data Access Component (ODAC) - Features

Basic Components
Professional and Developer Versions
General Features
Key Features
Features in ODAC Version 6.70
Features in ODAC Version 6.50

Basic Components

All editions of ODAC include the following basic components:

• TOraSession - lets you set up and control connections to Oracle
• TOraQuery - executes queries, operates record set, provides flexible way updating database tables with automatically building INSERT, DELETE, UPDATE statements
• TSmartQuery - easy in using traffic-efficient alternative to TOraQuery for working with large tables with lots of fields, includes Smart Refresh functionality in Professional and Developer Editions
• TOraTable - lets you retrieve and update data in a single table without writing SQL statements
• TOraStoredProc - executes stored procedures and functions, allows to edit cursor data returned as parameter
• TOraSQL - executes SQL statements, PL/SQL blocks, stored procedures
• TOraScript - executes sequences of SQL and PL/SQL statements
• TOraUpdateSQL - lets you tune update operations for a DataSet component
• TOraNestedTable - controls nested table's data
• TOraDataSource - provides an interface for connecting data-aware controls on a form and ODAC dataset components
• TOraSQLMonitor - allows to monitor dynamic SQL executing in ODAC based applications
• TConnectDialog - allows you to build custom prompts for usernames, passwords, and server names
• TVirtualTable - provides dataset functionality for data that has no real database connection
• OraDataAdapter - .NET component, uses TDataSet as data source for retrieving and saving data to System.Data.DataSet

ODAC Professional Edition and ODAC Developer Edition include the following additional components:

• TOraPackage - provides a straightforward way to access Oracle packages
• TOraLoader - allows you to quickly load data into Oracle databases
• TOraAlerter - allows you to transfer messages between sessions
• TOraTransaction - provides discrete transaction control over sessions, can be used to manipulate both simple and distributed transactions
• TOraQueue - lets you monitor the message queue, provides an interface for enqueuing and dequeuing messages
• TOraQueueTable - manages queue tables
• TOraQueueAdmin - manages Oracle queues
• TOraChangeNotification - allows you to use Oracle Database Change Notifications
• TOraTrace - allows you to start and stop the SQL trace for a specified session
• TOraErrorHandler - translates error messages
• TBDESession - allows to integrate ODAC components into BDE based application
• TOraMetaData - retrieves metadata on specified SQL object
• TOraProvider - provides data to and applies updates from a client dataset
• TCRBatchMove - transfers data between all types of TDataSet descendants

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Professional and Developer Versions

ODAC Professional Edition and ODAC Developer Edition include the following additional components:

• TOraPackage - provides a straightforward way to access Oracle packages
• TOraLoader - allows you to quickly load data into Oracle databases
• TOraAlerter - allows you to transfer messages between sessions
• TOraTransaction - provides discrete transaction control over sessions, can be used to manipulate both simple and distributed transactions
• TOraQueue - lets you monitor the message queue, provides an interface for enqueuing and dequeuing messages
• TOraQueueTable - manages queue tables
• TOraQueueAdmin - manages Oracle queues
• TOraChangeNotification - allows you to use Oracle Database Change Notifications
• TOraTrace - allows you to start and stop the SQL trace for a specified session
• TOraErrorHandler - translates error messages
• TBDESession - allows to integrate ODAC components into BDE based application
• TOraProvider - provides data to and applies updates from a client dataset
• TCRBatchMove - transfers data between all types of TDataSet descendants

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Key Features

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

• Direct access to server data. Does not require installation of other data provider layers (such as BDE and ODBC)
• In Direct mode does not require Oracle client software and works directly through TCP/IP
• VCL, VCL.NET, and CLX versions of library available
• Full support of the latest versions of Oracle
• Support for all Oracle 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
• Oracle Transparent Application Failover support
• All types of local sorting and filtering, including by calculated and lookup fields
• Automatic data updating with TOraQuery, TSmartQuery, and TOraTable components
• Unicode and national charsets support
• Distributed transaction support
• Oracle Advanced Queuing support
• Support for many Oracle-specific features, such as alerts, pipes and direct path interface
• Advanced script execution functionality with TOraScript component
• Support for using Macros in SQL
• Integration with OraDeveloper Tools for performing advanced database development and administration tasks
• Easy migration from BDE with Migration Wizard
• Lets you use Professional Edition of Delphi, C++Builder, and Kylix to develop client/server applications
• Includes annual ODAC Subscription with Priority Support
• Licensed royalty-free per developer, per team, or per site

General Features

General usability

• Direct access to server data. Does not require installation of other data provider layers (such as BDE and ODBC)
• Interface compatible with standard data access methods, such as BDE and ADO
• VCL, VCL for .NET, and CLX versions of library available
• Separated run-time and GUI specific parts allow you to create pure console applications such as CGI
• Unicode and national charset support

Network and connectivity

• Disconnected Model with automatic connection control for working with data offline
• Local Failover for detecting connection loss and implicitly reexecuting certain operations

Compatibility

• Full support of the latest versions of InterBase, Firebird and Yaffil database servers
• Support for all InterBase data types
• Compatible with all IDE versions starting with Delphi 5, C++Builder 5, and Kylix 2, except Delphi 8
• Includes provider for UniDAC Standard Edition [New]
• Wide reporting component support, including support for InfoPower, ReportBuilder, FastReport
• Support of all standard and third-party visual data-aware controls
• Allows you to use Professional Edition of Delphi and C++Builder to develop client/server applications

Oracle technology support

• Oracle Advanced Queuing support
• Distributed transactions support with TOraTransaction component
• Oracle package support
• Support for Oracle alerts and pipes with TOraAlerter component
• Support for Direct Path interface with TOraLoader component
• Support for DBMS TRACE package and SQLTrace functionality with TOraTrace
• Support for Oracle Change notifications functionality of Oracle 10g with TOraChangeNotification component
• Oracle Transparent Application Failover support
• Oracle 9i scrollable cursor support
• Multiple Oracle Homes support
• Oracle sequence support
• DML array operations support
• Direct lob access support
• Temporary LOB management routines
• Temporary LOBs for updating LOB fields
• OCI Connection Pooling, Proxy Session Pooling, and Statement Caching
• Oracle optimizer control
• ProxySession support
• External Procedure support
• CLIENT IDENTIFIER support

Oracle data types

• Oracle Object (including NOT FINAL objects) types support
• Nested table support
• PL/SQL table support
• XMLTYPE datatype support
• Oracle 9i TIMESTAMP and INTERVAL data types support

Performance

• High overall performance
• Fast controlled fetch of large data blocks
• Optimized string data storing
• Advanced connection pooling
• High performance of applying cached updates with batches
• Caching of calculated and lookup fields
• Fast Locate in a sorted DataSet
• Preparing of user-defined update statements

Local data storage operations

• Database-independent data storage with TVirtualTable component
• CachedUpdates operation mode
• Local sorting and filtering, including by calculated and lookup fields
• Local master/detail relationship
• Master/detail relationship in CachedUpdates mode

Data access and data management automation

• Automatic data updating with TIBCQuery and TIBCTable components
• Automatic record refreshing and locking
• Automatic query preparing
• Support for ftWideMemo field type in Delphi 2006 and higher

Extended data access functionality

• Separate component for executing SQL statements
• Simplified access to table data with TIBCTable component
• Ability to retrieve metadata information with TIBCMetaData component [New]
• BLOB compression support
• Support for using macros in SQL
• Ability to customize update commands by attaching external components to TIBCUpdateSQL objects
• Deferred detail DataSet refresh in master/detail relationships
• MIDAS technology support
• IBCDataAdapter component for WinForms and ASP.NET applications

Data exchange

• Transferring data between all types of TDataSet descendants with TCRBatchMove component
• Data export and import to/from XML (ADO format)
• Ability to synchronize positions in different DataSets

Script execution

• Advanced script execution features with TIBCScript component
• Support for executing individual statements in scripts
• Support for executing huge scripts stored in files with dynamic loading
• Ability to use standard ISQL syntax in scripts

SQL execution monitoring

• Extended SQL tracing capabilities provided by TIBCSQLMonitor component and DBMonitor application
• Borland SQL Monitor support
• Ability to send messages to DBMonitor from any point in your program

Visual extensions

• Includes source code of enhanced TCRDBGrid data-aware grid control
• Customizable connection dialog

Design-time enhancements

• DataSet Manager tool to control DataSet instances in the project
• Advanced design-time component and property editors
• Automatic design-time component linking
• Easy migration from BDE and IBX with Migration Wizard
• More convenient data source setup with the TIBCDataSource component
• Syntax highlighting in design-time editors

Product clarity

• Complete documentation sets
• Printable documentation in PDF format
• A large amount of helpful demo projects

Licensing and support

• Included annual IBDAC Subscription with Priority Support
• Licensed royalty-free per developer, per team, or per site

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Features in ODAC Version 6.70

Now ODAC works with such CodeGear IDEs as Delphi 2009 and C++Builder 2009, and provide ability of working with generics and anonymous methods, new VCL controls, new DataSnap features to users for easier and more efficient development.

New version extended Unicode support lets you fully enjoy Database Servers abilities for Unicode application development. Moreover, the Unicode support in Delphi 2007, C++Builder 2007, and CodeGear RAD Studio 2007 was extended. For example, now you can use Unicode characters in such properties as SQL, TableName, StoredProcName, and others.

• Delphi 2009 and C++Builder 2009 supported
• Extended Unicode support for Delphi 2007 added (special Unicode build)
• Free Pascal 2.2 supported
• Powerful design-time editors implemented in Lazarus
• Optimized LOB processing in Direct mode
• Completed with more comprehensive structured Help

Features in ODAC Version 6.50

• Added compatibility with UniDAC
• Improved support of default field values
• The new component for metadata receiving added
• Added support of TWideMemoField
• The BCD types supported

Users with the active ODAC Subscription can download the new version for free from registered users area.

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Oracle Data Access Component (ODAC) - System Requirements

ODAC supports Oracle servers 11g, 10g, 9i, 8i, 8.0, and 7.3, including Oracle 10g Express. ODAC supports x86 versions of the following Oracle clients: 11g, 10g, 9i, 8i, 8.0, and 7.3.

ODAC is compatible with the following IDEs:

• CodeGear C++Builder 2009
• CodeGear Delphi 2009 for Win32
• 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
• Free Pascal for Win32 (only Editions with Source Code and Trial Edition)
• Borland Kylix 3
• Borland Kylix 2

Only Architect, Enterprise, and Professional editions are supported. ODAC does not support Kylix Open Edition.