Universal Data Access Components Overview

Universal Data Access Components (UniDAC) is a powerful library of nonvisual cross-database data access components for Delphi, Delphi for .NET, C++Builder, and FreePascal. We have combined the experience of long-term successful development into one product, which provides unified access to the popular database servers like Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, InterBase, Firebird, PostgreSQL, SQLite, DB2, Microsoft Access, Sybase Advantage Database Server, Sybase Adaptive Server Enterprise, and other databases (using ODBC provider).

UniDAC offers unified approach to the database-related applications development process. That means you can switch easily between different databases in your projects without going deep into their specifics.

Using UniDAC with its server-independent interface is the best way to create cross-database applications. UniDAC gives outstanding flexibility and independence to your projects.

UniDAC Palette

Advantages of UniDAC Technology

UniDAC is easy to setup and use. It provides transparent server-independent interface for working with different databases. Selected database provider ensures the best way to perform operations on the server.

Universal Data Access

UniDAC provides transparent server-independent interfaces for working with different databases, and lets you change the client engine for a specific server type just by changing single connection option. It means that you can easily switch between database servers in your cross-database UniDAC-based application.

Server-Aware Providers

UniDAC chooses the best way specific to the server to perform most operations. Every UniDAC data provider uses server-specific native connectivity. All operations with data are performed by providers automatically considering the selected database server peculiarities.

Optimized Code

The goal of UniDAC is to enable developers to write efficient and flexible database applications. The UniDAC library is implemented using advanced data access algorithms and optimization techniques. Classes and components undergo comprehensive performance tests and are designed to help you write high-performance, lightweight data access layers.

Compatibility with Standard Data Access Components

The UniDAC interface retains compatibility with the standard VCL data access components like BDE. Existing BDE-based applications can be easily migrated to UniDAC and enhanced to take advantage of the server-specific features.

How Does UniDAC Work?

UniDAC consists of two constituents. The first constituent is the general UniDAC Engine that provides unified programming interface for developers. The second constituent is the data access layer which consists of data access providers. These providers are intended for interacting between UniDAC Engine and database servers. Each data provider works with one specific database server. The general UniDAC structure is presented below:

General UniDAC structure

There are two ways to install data access providers. The first way is to install the UniDAC Professional or UniDAC Trial edition. In this case all available providers are installed. The second way is to install UniDAC Engine with the UniDAC Standard edition, and required data access providers with Data Access Components such as ODAC, SDAC, MyDAC, IBDAC, and PgDAC. Each DAC installs the corresponding data access provider for UniDAC.

Key Features

  • Universal access to different database servers
  • Support for most popular databases
  • Full support for the latest server versions
  • Support for the latest IDE versions
  • VCL and VCL.NET versions of library available
  • High performance
  • Easy to deploy
  • Support of all standard and third-party data-aware controls
  • Advanced connection management
  • Flexible data updating
  • UniScript component for scripts execution
  • Unified SQL for writing server-independent queries
  • Ability of monitoring commands execution
  • Advanced connection pooling
  • Unicode and national charsets support
  • Includes database-independent data storage
  • CachedUpdates operation mode
  • Local sorting and filtering by calculated and lookup fields
  • Local master/detail relationship
  • Ability to retrieve metadata information
  • Support for using macros in SQL
  • Customizable connection dialog
  • Advanced design-time editors
  • A large amount of helpful demo projects
  • Annual UniDAC Subscription with Priority Support
  • Licensed royalty-free per developer, per team, or per site

See All Features

UniDAC Design-Time View

UniDAC design-time