database dsn-less

hello,

i have this code that is supposed to help me out in some databse retrieval issue. however i am not aware of the dsn-less code and stuff:

<%
var rs = Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Recordset");
rs.Open("select * from states","DSN=IST_SQL;UID=....;pwd=....");

var n=0;
while (!rs.EOF)
{
...
}
rs.Close();
%>

i think the following is also to be included in the above code, but i am not sure of the whole connection thing.

conn.open "DRIVER={Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb)};uid=;pwd=letmein; DBQ=" & Server.MapPath("\db.mdb") & ";"

3 types/way(there is more but the 3 most used are...) to connect to a database:

---------------------------------
1) Using an ODBC

2) Using a DSN-Less

3) Using OLEDB
---------------------------------


1) Using an ODBC
You must create an ODBC on the machine where your asp pages are. The ODBC *must* point to the SQL Server(for example) or where the database is.

2) Using a DSN-Less
This approach uses what we call a *driver* to connect to your database. The great thing about this approach is that *you* the programmer put it in a *string* and that if you decide to change server the only thing you need to change is that *string*.
This can be practical assuming your web site is being hosted somewhere in Hong Kong...all you need to do is connect via ftp, retrieve the file that holds that *string* make the change and re-upload the file..

3) Using OLEDB
This approach resembles a lot the 2) one major difference is that it uses a *provider* as opposed to a driver. The other thing is a provider is faster then a driver. Think of it as a native acces to your database.

I personally used/prefer the OLEDB approach since it is faster.

Now here is a link that *you* must bookmark:

http://www.able-consulting.com/ADO_Conn.htm

Hope this helps!
Sincerely

Vlince