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Accessing non-Oracle data sources

Oracle Reports enables you to access any data source. The pluggable data source (PDS) architecture replaces Oracle Open Client Adapter (OCA) and the Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) drivers, which are no longer supported in Oracle Reports. However, Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) is one of the pluggable data sources available that can utilize the JDBC-ODBC bridge, allowing access to any ODBC data source.

Use the following steps to determine the easiest method for accessing your data source:

  1. Does your data source have Java Database Connectivity (JDBC)?
    A pluggable data source (PDS) has already been set up. All you have to do is select JDBC as your data type.

  2. Does your data source have ODBC?
    If so, make sure that you have downloaded the JDBC-ODBC bridge from Sun Microsystems. If you do not know if there is an ODBC driver for your data source, check the company Web site. For example, Microsoft has a downloadable ODBC driver for Excel.

  3. Is the file in XML?
    Oracle Reports includes an XML PDS. If the DTD file is available, all you have to do is select XML as your data type. If the DTD file is not available, you will have to create one.

  4. Is the file comma-delimited?
    You can use the Text PDS included with Oracle Reports to query the data source.

  5. Has someone in your company built a PDS for your data type?
    If the PDS exists, it will probably be on the Reports Server. Ask your administrator if such a file exists.   If the PDS exists, add it to the classpath for your copy of the Reports Builder.   If the PDS does not exist, use the API Reference to help you build one.

Examples

Oracle Reports ships with XML data source sample files.

See also

Integrating with the Oracle Express pluggable data source

The Pluggable Data Sources section of the online Help, including the topics:

About pluggable data sources

Adding a pluggable data source

Connecting to a pluggable data source

Adding Online Help to a pluggable data source

Pluggable data source interface definition

Troubleshooting PDS problems

"Configuring and Using the JDBC PDS" in Oracle Application Server Reports Services Publishing Reports to the Web, available on the Oracle Technology Network Oracle Reports Documentation page (http://www.oracle.com/technology/documentation/reports.html)

Part VII, "Building Reports with Pluggable Data Sources" in Oracle Reports Building Reports, available on the Oracle Technology Network Oracle Reports Documentation page (http://www.oracle.com/technology/documentation/reports.html):