What is DAO (Data Access Objects)? - Definition from Whatis.com

Home
DAO (Data Access Objects)

Definition

DAO (Data Access Objects)

DAO (Data Access Objects) is an application program interface (API) available with Microsoft's Visual Basic that lets a programmer request access to a Microsoft Access database. DAO was Microsoft's first object-oriented interface with databases. DAO objects encapsulate Access's Jet functions. Through Jet functions, it can also access other Structured Query Language (SQL) databases.

To conform with Microsoft's vision of a Universal Data Access (UDA) model, programmers are being encouraged to move from DAO , although still widely used, to ActiveX Data Objects (ADO) and its low-level interface with databases, OLE DB. ADO and OLE DB offer a faster interface that is also easier to program.

Related glossary terms: T-SQL (Transact-SQL), SQL (Structured Query Language), Collaboration Data Objects (CDO), OLE DB (OLEDB or Object Linking and Embedding Database), container, query, commit, ACID (atomicity, consistency, isolation, and durability), fetch

This was last updated in October 1999

Dig Deeper

Exploring T-SQL metadata functions in SQL Server 2008

Metadata functions in T-SQL can help uncover information about database names, objects and more. Learn the basics of metadata functions and how to apply them here.
Uncovering database file information with T-SQL metadata functions

Admins can use metadata functions to reveal detailed information about SQL Server files and filegroups, including file names, IDs and file properties.
Inspecting property settings with T-SQL metadata functions

There are plenty of other uses for SQL Server 2008 metadata functions beyond just the basics. This includes the ability to view object properties, such as columns and data types.

People who read this also read...
Resources from around the Web
- Microsoft has a special Web site about ActiveX Data Objects .

Show me more

Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know.

Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com

Research More Tech Terms

Search thousands of tech definitions
Browse tech definitions
Browse Alphabetically:
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F
- G
- H
- I
- J
- K
- L
- M
- N
- O
- P
- Q
- R
- S
- T
- U
- V
- W
- X
- Y
- Z
- #

Powered by WhatIs.com

File Extensions and File Formats

File Extension and File Formats List:

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
#

Powered by WhatIs.com

More from Related TechTarget Sites

Business Analytics
Data Center
Data Management
Data Management UK
Oracle
Content Management
Windows Server

Business Analytics
- Airport retailer leaves Excel behind with BI tools makeover
  
  The Paradies Shops’ search for BI tools to access data quickly and break away from Excel spreadsheets started with data discovery vendors but didn’t end with them.
- Hadoop is hot, but not most popular ‘big data’ technology
  
  New research reveals businesses’ relative lack of “big data” maturity and the hurdles in both technology and analytics techniques they need to overcome.
- Mobile BI brings more than security concerns to the table, TDWI says
  
  Interest in mobile BI is growing, but democratizing data also presents hurdles for building a business case, according to new research from TDWI.
Data Center
- Data center experts push back on ASHRAE economizer requirements
  
  An addendum to the ASHRAE 90.1-2010 energy standard could ease energy efficiency requirements on anyone building or significantly expanding data centers in the U.S.
- Punch up database performance by reorganizing data
  
  A well-timed mainframe database reorg can result in much improved response.
- How to find the right systems management tool for the job
  
  Point tools or management frameworks? Set realistic goals and criteria before choosing a systems management tool.
Data Management
- AAA picks Dell Boomi cloud integration tools over IBM, Jitterbit
  
  A popular auto club is using Dell Boomi cloud integration tools to drive an aggressive cloud computing strategy.
- From the Editors: Framing the case for enterprise data virtualization
  
  There’s no lack of choices to consider if you’re looking at a possible data virtualization deployment -- both in terms of the vendors offering tools and the potential uses for the technology.
- Forrester Wave: Informatica, IBM lead data virtualization tools market
  
  Informatica and IBM are the top dogs in the data virtualization software market, thanks to a strong combination of “enterprise-class” features, according to Forrester Research Inc.
DataManagement UK
- Gartner: Address economy, compliance with information governance, MDM
  
  IT leaders need to get information governance right if MDM is to help cut costs, stoke productivity and mitigate risk, according to Gartner on the eve of the MDM summit.
- Gartner: Business, analytics fail to connect, mobile BI gets real
  
  Gartner’s BI London summit will show a landscape beset by strategic misalignment, intra-organisational struggle and weak cloud adoption. Yet mobile BI is becoming a reality.
- 2012 training courses: BI, data management, data warehousing
  
  Find out where to hone your business intelligence, data management and data warehouse skills with this list of training courses for 2012.
Oracle
- Oracle purchase of Taleo indicates rising SaaS trend
  
  Oracle has spent $3.4 billion on Taleo and RightNow in the past few months, showing that it is serious about hosting applications in the cloud for its customers.
- Making Monday the start of the week in Oracle SQL
  
  One reader asks how to set up a report in Oracle SQL so that Monday is the first day of the week.
- Oracle Advanced Analytics bundles R with Oracle Database
  
  Oracle Advanced Analytics is the company’s newest announcement around data analytics, a market that Oracle seeks to blanket with products.
Content Management
- Web content management's new role: Fueling digitally driven businesses
  
  Web content management is not just about publishing Web pages any more, according to one industry expert. It has become a way to use content to power useful business applications for the enterprise.
- Data archive strategy key to efficient enterprise content management
  
  Digital archiving and the longevity of electronic information is being overlooked by enterprise content management professionals at the enterprise’s peril. Digital doesn’t necessarily mean permanent.
- Lancaster Bible College gets cloud Web content management system boost
  
  After technical infrastructure issues continually crashed Lancaster Bible College’s website over the course of a year, the school switched to a cloud Web content management system.
Windows Server
- Bringing Windows RDS to the web: Designing the DMZ
  
  Remote Desktop Gateway secures Internet access for Remote Desktop Services applications – if you set it up properly.
- Deciding between blade and rack-mount gear for Windows Server 2008
  
  Are you looking for scalability or performance? It's important to understand your needs before choosing a Windows Server hardware solution.
- Kerberos platform interoperability connects Windows to the rest of the world
  
  The Kerberos authentication protocol ensures safe connections between multiple platforms. Find out just how it creates secure connections in this overview.

All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2005 - 2012, TechTarget