Connecting to Text Databases

On Windows and UNIX, ColdFusion lets you access text databases using ODBC drivers.

ODBC: Microsoft Text Driver options (Windows)

The following table describes ColdFusion ODBC options for Microsoft Text data sources. You set these options when you configure a ColdFusion data source.

Option

Description

Data Source Name
A name for your ODBC data source.

Description
Descriptive information about the data source.

Database Directory
The directory that contains the text files.

Extensions List
Lists the filename extensions of the text files on the data source. To use all files in the directory, enter *.*. To use only files with specific extensions, add each extension that you want to use.

Option	Description
Data Source Name	A name for your ODBC data source.
Description	Descriptive information about the data source.
Database Directory	The directory that contains the text files.
Extensions List	Lists the filename extensions of the text files on the data source. To use all files in the directory, enter .. To use only files with specific extensions, add each extension that you want to use.

ODBC: MERANT Text Driver options (UNIX)

The following table describes ColdFusion ODBC options for data sources created with the MERANT Text driver. You set these options when you configure a ColdFusion data source.

Option

Description

Data Source Name
A name for your data source.

Description
Descriptive information about the data source.

Database Directory
The directory that contains the text files.

Extensions List
Lists the filename extensions of the text files on the data source. To use all files in the directory, enter *.*. To use only files with specific extensions, add each extension that you want to use.

Table Type
Select the default type of text file. ColdFusion supports comma-separated, tab-separated, character-separated, fixed length, and stream table types. The default type is used when creating a new table and opening an undefined table.

Column Names in First Line Select this check box to use the first row of data in the text file as column names.

International Sort Determines the order in which records display when you issue a Select statement with an Order By clause.
If you do not select this option, the driver automatically uses the ASCII sort order. This order sorts items alphabetically with uppercase letters preceding lowercase letters. For example, "A, b, C" sorts as "A, C, b."
If you select this option, the driver uses the international sort order as defined by your operating system. This sort order is always alphabetic, regardless of case; the letters from the previous example would sort using as "A, b, C."

Advanced ColdFusion Administration
Advanced Data Source Management

Option	Description
Data Source Name	A name for your data source.
Description	Descriptive information about the data source.
Database Directory	The directory that contains the text files.
Extensions List	Lists the filename extensions of the text files on the data source. To use all files in the directory, enter .. To use only files with specific extensions, add each extension that you want to use.
Table Type	Select the default type of text file. ColdFusion supports comma-separated, tab-separated, character-separated, fixed length, and stream table types. The default type is used when creating a new table and opening an undefined table. Column Names in First Line Select this check box to use the first row of data in the text file as column names. International Sort Determines the order in which records display when you issue a Select statement with an Order By clause. If you do not select this option, the driver automatically uses the ASCII sort order. This order sorts items alphabetically with uppercase letters preceding lowercase letters. For example, "A, b, C" sorts as "A, C, b." If you select this option, the driver uses the international sort order as defined by your operating system. This sort order is always alphabetic, regardless of case; the letters from the previous example would sort using as "A, b, C."