Open Database Connectivity (ODBC)

General info

The Expert System database concerns a Microsoft Access database (*.mdb) file which is accessed through ODBC.
Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) is a protocol that can be used to connect a Microsoft Access database to an external data source.

The EXPERT.MDB-file is located in the SCIA Engineer installation folder (C:\Program Files (x86)\SCIA\EngineerXX.X). Upon accessing the database a copy is made into the user folder (C:\Users\#username\ESAXX.X\User\). This file is then used for reading and writing from and to the expert system, this ensures that the original file in the installation folder is never modified.

More information about ODBC can be found on the website of Microsoft: Open Database Connectivity (ODBC)

ODBC Drivers

32-bit version of SCIA Engineer

When using a 32-bit version of SCIA Engineer no additional driver needs to be installed as the 32-bit ODBC driver is a default part of Windows.

The 32-bit drivers can be found under the following registry path: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\ODBC\ODBCINST.INI

64-bit version of SCIA Engineer

When using a 64-bit version of SCIA Engineer it is mandatory to have the 64-bit Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 Redistributable installed.

This can be obtained via the following link: Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 Redistributable

Make sure to only download and install the 64-bit redistributable as shown below.

The 64-bit drivers can be found after installation under the following registry path: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ODBC\ODBCINST.INI

It is important to emphasize that for 64-bit versions of SCIA Engineer only "Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 Redistributable" is needed to make it work. Newer versions such as version 2013 or 2016 will not make the Expert System work.

DSN data source

The DSN data source is created by SCIA Engineer when running the Expert System. This DSN links the driver with the .mdb database.

The entry can be found under the following registry path: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ODBC\ODBC.INI\

Under the above mentioned registry path entries are created depending on the version being used: