SDAC Overview

SQL Server Data Access Components (SDAC) is a library of components that provides access to Microsoft SQL Server databases. SDAC connects to SQL Server directly through OLE DB. The SDAC library is designed to help programmers develop faster and cleaner SQL Server database applications. SDAC is a complete replacement for standard SQL Server connectivity solutions and presents an efficient alternative to the Borland Database Engine for access to SQL Server.

The SDAC library is actively developed and supported by the Devart Team. If you have questions about SDAC, email the developers at [email protected] or visit SDAC online at https://www.devart.com/sdac/.

Advantages of SDAC Technology

SDAC is a direct database connectivity wrapper built specifically for the SQL Server. SDAC offers wide coverage of the SQL Server feature set, and emphasizes optimized data access strategies.

Wide Coverage of SQL Server Features

By providing access to the most advanced database functionality, SDAC allows developers to harness the full capabilities of the SQL Server and optimize their database applications. SDAC provides complete support for working with SQL Server Compact Edition, SQL Server queuing and reliable messaging, IRowsetFastLoad interface, working with metadata information, MARS. Get a full list of supported SQL Server features in Features.

Optimized Code

The goal of SDAC is to enable developers to write efficient and flexible database applications. The SDAC library is implemented using optimized code and advanced data access algorithms. Component interfaces undergo comprehensive performance tests and are designed to help you write efficient product data access layers. Find out more about using SDAC to optimize your database applications in Increasing Performance.

Compatibility with other Connectivity Methods

The SDAC interface retains compatibility with standard VCL data access components like BDE. Existing BDE-based applications can be easily migrated to SDAC and enhanced to take advantage of SQL Server-specific features. Project migration can be automated with the BDE/ADO Migration Wizard. Find out more about Migration Wizard in Using Migration Wizard.

Development and Support

SDAC is an SQL Server connectivity solution that is actively developed and supported. SDAC comes with full documentation, demo projects, and fast (usually within one business day) technical support by the SDAC development team. Find out more about getting help or submitting feedback and suggestions to the SDAC Development Team in Getting Support.

A description of the SDAC components is provided in Component List.

Key Features

• Direct access to server data. Does not require installation of other data provider layers (such as BDE and ODBC)
• VCL, LCL and FMX versions of library available
• Full support of the latest Microsoft SQL Server versions, including Express and Compact editions
• Support for all SQL Server data types
• Disconnected Model with automatic connection control for working with data offline
• Local Failover for detecting connection loss and implicitly reexecuting certain operations
• All types of local sorting and filtering, including by calculated and lookup fields
• Automatic data updating with TMSQuery, TMSTable, and TMSStoredProc components
• Unicode support
• Support for many SQL Server-specific features, such as messaging and bulk copy operations
• Advanced script execution with TMSScript component
• Support for using macros in SQL
• Easy migration from BDE and ADO with Migration Wizard
• Lets you use Professional Edition of Delphi and C++Builder to develop client/server applications
• Included annual SDAC Subscription with Priority Support
• Licensed royalty-free per developer, per team, or per site

The full list of SDAC features are available in Features.

How does SDAC work?

SDAC uses OLE DB, which is a native SQL Server interface, directly through a set of COM-based interfaces to connect to the server. SDAC is designed to be lightweight and consists of a thin layer between your code and SQL Server databases.

In contrast, the Borland Database Engine (BDE) uses several layers to access SQL Server and requires additional data access software to be installed on client machines.

SDAC Connection

BDE Connection