Oracle stands alone against OLE-DB

Microsoft's replacement for ODBC, called OLE-DB, has been embraced byevery major database software maker except Oracle, the company announcedthis week. Oracle has refused to endorse the Microsoft technology, thoughit will unofficially supply OLE-DB tools for its database servers. Oraclesays that OLE-DB is too generic to support the important features in itsown database servers.

OLE-DB is designed to offer a single API for accessing multiple data types,regardless of their origin. The original ODBC specification provided thistype of functionality for relational databases, but OLE-DB extends thatto support other data types such as spreadsheets, email, and wordprocessing documents. Additionally, OLE-DB is built on a COM base, makingit firmly Microsoft-centric. The first interface for OLE-DB was anODBC-compatibility layer.

Oracle issued a statement explaining its refusal to embrace OLE-DB.

"Microsoft’s strategy with regard to OLE DB ensures that Microsoft’s tools,by using OLE DB to access the database, will never be best of breed fortaking advantage of advanced database features and applications. Inaddition OLE DB will always be slower than a native interface because itprovides an additional layer on top of the database which is never equal toaccessing the database directly. Finally, it will lock users into theWindows environment."

Microsoft seemed unsurpassed by Oracle's decision.

"Oracle is focused on connectivity to Oracle databases. We are focused onconnectivity to a broad spectrum of databases," said David Lazar, anotherproduct manager at Microsoft. "As a database and tools vendor, they feelthey have an end-to-end solution."

IBM, Sybase, Informix Software, Computer Associates, Intersolv, Tandem,and Object Design have all endorsed OLE-DB and are supplying OLE-DBinterfaces to their products to developers