Working with Database Connections
DataGate is a client/server-based database access platform. DataGate Studio is a DataGate client program that accesses local and network-based DataGate servers, providing a database management tool for administrators and developers. DataGate Studio accesses DataGate servers through database connections.
With DataGate Explorer, you can create, open, close, delete, and modify database connections. You can make database connections based on database names, or you can create connections on-the-fly using custom connection parameters.
DataGate Explorer displays the working set of database connections under the Connections node, as shown below. These connections are persisted between DataGate Studio sessions, so that the connection set in use at the time DataGate Studio was last closed is the same connection set the next time the program is started.
Once a database connection is created, you can open the database to browse its contents. You can perform many management operations using the connection from within DataGate Explorer. DataGate Explorer's toolbar contains buttons which allow you to close all connections, and refresh currently displayed connections.
New database connections can be created easily in DataGate Explorer with these commands:
- Add New Connection Command - This command creates either database namebased connections, or non-database name connections.
- Clipboard Commands - You can drag and drop, or copy and paste database name nodes from the list under Local Database Names onto the Connections node, to quickly create new connections based on database names.
Additionally, database connections can be changed using the Modify Connection command. Non-database name based connections can be renamed. Connections can be simply deleted without deleting an underlying database name, allowing you to concentrate on the management or development task at hand.
Connection Status
Connection nodes in DataGate Explorer display the status of the connection with the node's icon. If the connection has not been opened, or has been successfully closed, the icon is shown without an overlay image. If the connection is open, or has encountered an error, a small overlay image displays this status.
Connection Errors
A connection can encounter an error for several reasons. For example, network outages or incorrect connection parameters can cause a connection attempt to fail. When this occurs, the connection node will appear as the Error Connection Icon shown above. Additionally, DataGate Studio will generally show an exception message box at the point of failure.
The exception causing a connection error is also shown in the Properties window when the connection node is selected. You can view the Connection Exception property in the Properties window to see exception detail, shown below.
