Linking versus Importing

You can either import data from a DBMS, or link to a DBMS, using ODBC.

When you import data from a DBMS, a connection is not maintained with the data source. If data is changed at the source (the DBMS), the imported data set will not be updated by the application.

When you link to a DBMS using ODBC, the link can be easily maintained. If data is changed at the source (the DBMS), you can quickly update the link to reflect those changes.

This is the advantage linking has over importing.

Using linked tables

To the user, linked tables appear exactly the same as any other table or data file displayed in the application. The only differences are:

• When you want to open a linked table, the File Type must be set to ODBCLINK.
• The data is read-only. You cannot update the data within the application.
• F4 - Edit and F6 - Modify are not accessible in the menu that opens when you right click with the cursor in a File response.
• You cannot use file FIX and APPEND utilities.