In computing, a data source name (DSN, sometimes known as a database source name though data sources are not limited to databases) are data structures used to describe a connection to a data source. Most commonly used in reference to ODBC, DSNs may also be defined for JDBC and other data access mechanisms.
DSN attributes may include, but are not limited to:
- name of the data source
- directory of the data source
- name of a driver which can access the data source
- user ID for data access (if required)
- user password for data access (if required)
The system administrator of a client machine creates a separate DSN for each relevant data source.
Standardizing DSNs offers a level of indirection that various applications (for example: Apache/PHP and IIS/ASP) can take advantage of in accessing shared data sources.
Read more about Data Source Name: Types of Data Source Name, Misuse of The Term, Example of Use
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