# Supported Databases

ColdFusion uses ODBC, OLE DB, and native database drivers to interact with data sources. However, not all ColdFusion Server editions support all database types. The following table shows database drivers available for each ColdFusion 4.5 edition.

| Express Windows | Professional Windows | Professional Linux | Enterprise Windows | Enterprise Solaris | Enterprise Linux
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
ODBC Drivers
MERANT INFORMIX 7.x/9.x Driver |  |  | X |  | X |
MERANT Sybase 11 Driver |  |  | X |  | X | X
MERANT dBase/FoxPro Driver |  |  |  |  | X |
MERANT IBM DB2/6000 Driver |  |  |  |  | X |
MERANT OpenIngress 1.x Driver |  |  |  |  | X |
MERANT OpenIngress 2.x Driver |  |  |  |  | X |
MERANT Oracle 7 Driver |  |  |  |  | X |
MERANT Oracle 8 Driver |  |  |  |  | X |
MERANT Text Driver |  |  |  |  | X |
MERANT MS SQL Driver |  |  | X |  | X |
Microsoft Access Driver | X | X |  | X |  |
Microsoft SQL Server Driver |  | X |  | X |  |
Microsoft dBase Driver | X | X |  | X |  |
Microsoft FoxPro Driver | X | X |  | X |  |
Microsoft Visual FoxPro Driver | X | X |  | X |  |
Microsoft Excel Driver | X | X |  | X |  |
Microsoft Text Driver | X | X |  | X |  |
FileMaker Pro ODBC Driver | X | X |  | X |  |
Native Drivers
Sybase System 11 |  |  |  | X | X | X
Oracle 7.3, 8.0, and 8i |  |  |  | X | X | X
Informix 9 |  |  |  | X | X |
DB2 Universal Database 5.2/6.1 |  |  |  | X | X | X
OLE DB Drivers
SQLOLEDB |  | X |  | X |  |
Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.3.5.1 |  | X |  | X |  |

## Where to go from here

To use an existing database with your ColdFusion applications, you need to register or create the data source using the ColdFusion Administrator. If you are using Informix, DB2, Oracle, or Sybase database, and want to take advantage of the ColdFusion native drivers, you also need to install and configure database client software.

The remaining sections in this chapter provide details about configuring ColdFusion data sources for specific databases. Look for the section about your database; each database section contains all the information you need to create and connect to data sources on Windows and UNIX. See the "Contents" to find your database.

The following sections apply to all databases and operating systems:

- "Choosing the Right Drivers" -- Describes the different types of drivers you can use to access data sources with ColdFusion Server (ODBC, native, and OLE DB) and helps you decide which driver best suits your needs.
- "Adding Data Sources for ColdFusion" -- Provides step-by-step instructions for using the ColdFusion Administrator to add a data source. These instructions apply to all platforms and drivers.
- "Verifying ColdFusion Data Sources" -- Provides step-by-step instructions for making sure that a data source has been correctly configured and is available to your ColdFusion application pages.
- "Using ColdFusion to Create a Data Source" -- Explains how you can use ColdFusion code to generate database tables dynamically.