Note: This information is intended for UltraDev 1 users.

UltraDev lets you use Data Source Names (DSNs) in your connection strings. For example, one connection type is called "ColdFusion Data Source Name." Another type is called "ADO (ODBC Data Source Name)." What then is a DSN?

A DSN is a type of shortcut you create in Windows or ColdFusion for a connection string. Once defined, you can simply refer to the connection string by name. For example, a connection string may consist of the following parameters:

Driver={SQL Server};Server=Balou;Database=Cases;UID=Holmes3;PWD=kingside

After defining a DSN called patients in Windows using the above parameters, you can use the connection string in your application by specifying a single parameter:

dsn=patients

If UltraDev is running on a Windows machine and you defined a DSN on that machine, then you can select the DSN from the DSN pop-up menu in the Define Connection dialog box. In the following example, a DSN called scaalcoffee was defined in Windows, then selected in UltraDev:

If you do not have physical access to a server—and so are unable to define a DSN on it—then you must use a connection string to connect to the database.

For more information on DSNs, see Setting up a DSN in UltraDev Help or in the Using Dreamweaver UltraDev book.