ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) <DAO definition>

Microsoft DAO 3.60

ODBC (Open Database Connectivity)

A standard protocol that permits applications to connect to a variety of external database servers or files. ODBC drivers used by the Microsoft Jet database engine permit access to Microsoft SQL Server and several other external databases.

The ODBC application programming interface (API) may also be used to access ODBC drivers and the databases they connect to without using the Microsoft Jet database engine.