Announcement: UDA Release 7.0 Lite Edition ODBC Driver for Oracle

Tabela Periodica Completa -

The complete periodic table of elements is far more than a colorful chart hanging on the wall of a science classroom. It is one of the most profound and elegant achievements in the history of science—a masterful organization of everything that makes up our physical world. From the hydrogen that fuels the stars to the uranium that powers nuclear reactors, the periodic table is a comprehensive map of matter itself. Its completion represents not just a catalog of known substances, but a testament to human curiosity, pattern recognition, and the universal laws of chemistry and physics. The Architecture of Order At first glance, the table appears as a grid of 118 unique boxes, each containing an atomic number, a symbol, and a name. However, its true genius lies in its structure. The elements are arranged in order of increasing atomic number (the number of protons in the nucleus), but they are placed in specific rows (periods) and columns (groups) based on their electron configuration. This arrangement reveals recurring, or “periodic,” properties.

Philosophically, the periodic table speaks to a deep order in nature. It suggests that despite the immense diversity of materials—from the air we breathe to the gold in a wedding ring—everything is built from a limited set of fundamental components. Each element is a unique archetype, yet they are all connected through simple, repeating patterns. The table thus embodies reductionism: complex phenomena can be understood by breaking them down into their elemental parts. Is the periodic table truly complete? In one sense, yes—every spot from hydrogen (1) to oganesson (118) is filled. But science is never finished. Physicists continue to search for elements 119 and 120, which would begin an eighth period. Moreover, our understanding of existing elements continues to deepen. New isotopes, allotropes, and exotic chemical states are discovered regularly. The complete table is therefore a snapshot of our current knowledge—a dynamic document that will grow and refine itself as long as humans explore the nature of matter. Conclusion The complete periodic table is a triumph of human intellect. It transforms a chaotic list of substances into a coherent, beautiful system that reveals the hidden unity of the physical world. From its humble beginnings with Mendeleev to the synthetic superheavy elements of today, the table tells a story of discovery, persistence, and the relentless human desire to find order in complexity. Whether hanging in a school laboratory or guiding a Nobel Prize-winning experiment, the periodic table remains an enduring symbol of science: logical, elegant, and never truly final. tabela periodica completa

The 20th century saw a rapid expansion. Scientists filled in the gaps with elements like technetium (element 43) and promethium (element 61). Then came the “transuranium” elements—those beyond uranium (element 92)—synthesized in laboratories using particle accelerators and nuclear reactors. Elements such as neptunium, plutonium, and curium were created, followed by the superheavy elements like seaborgium (106) and oganesson (118). The table was declared “complete” when the seventh period was finally filled in 2016 with the official addition of four new elements: nihonium (113), moscovium (115), tennessine (117), and oganesson (118). However, scientists are now exploring the “island of stability,” suggesting that even heavier elements may exist, pushing the boundaries of completeness. The complete periodic table is indispensable in countless fields. Chemists use it to predict reaction outcomes and design new molecules. Physicists rely on it to understand nuclear structure and stellar nucleosynthesis—how stars forge heavier elements from lighter ones. Engineers and material scientists turn to the table to develop semiconductors, alloys, and medicines. The silicon (element 14) in your computer chip and the lithium (element 3) in your phone battery are both neighbors on this grand chart. The complete periodic table of elements is far

Elements in the same group, such as the noble gases in Group 18, share striking similarities: they are all odorless, colorless, and famously unreactive. In contrast, the alkali metals in Group 1 are all soft, highly reactive, and eager to lose an electron. The table’s layout thus becomes predictive: if you know an element’s position, you can infer its behavior, its bonding preferences, and even its physical state at room temperature. This predictive power is what elevates the periodic table from a simple list to a true scientific tool. The idea of a “complete” periodic table has evolved over time. In 1869, Dmitri Mendeleev published his first version, which included only 63 known elements. His revolutionary insight was to leave gaps for elements that had not yet been discovered, boldly predicting their properties. When gallium, germanium, and scandium were later found matching his predictions, the credibility of his table was cemented. Its completion represents not just a catalog of

# PermaLink Comments [0]
06/23/2015 16:14 GMT-0500 Modified: 06/23/2015 16:56 GMT-0500
Announcement: UDA Release 7.0 Express Edition ODBC Driver for Oracle

Today, we've updated the Express Edition ODBC Driver for Oracle.

Installation and configuration takes only minutes, by following the documentation which remains available anytime, specifically for this driver on OS X and Windows.

Release 7.0 licenses are also available for immediate purchase.

Client Platform Support

Release 7.0 installers are available for immediate download for Mac and Windows. (Express Edition is not typically produced for Linux and other Unix-like OS will be available soon; please contact us if you have specific need.)

Release 7.0 supports all 32-bit and 64-bit ODBC client tools and applications, both GUI and command-line, on —

OS X and OS X Server
on x86 and x86_64
Windows and Windows Server
on x86 and x86_64
  • Yosemite (10.10.x) (x86_64)

  • Mavericks (10.9.x) (x86_64)

  • Mountain Lion (10.8.x) (x86_64)

  • Lion (10.7.x) (x86_64)

  • Windows 8.x (x86, x86_64)

  • Windows 7.x (x86, x86_64)

  • Windows Vista (x86, x86_64)

  • Windows XP (x86, x86_64)

  • Windows Server 2012 R2 (x86_64)

  • Windows Server 2012 (x86_64)

  • Windows Server 2008 R2 (x86_64)

  • Windows Server 2008 (x86, x86_64)

  • Windows Server 2003 R2 (x86, x86_64)

  • Windows Server 2003 (x86, x86_64)

DBMS Version Support

The Release 7.0 Express Edition ODBC Driver supports virtually every version of Oracle in current use, including —

  • Oracle 12c Release 1 (12.1.x)

  • Oracle 11g Release 2 (11.2.x)

  • Oracle 11g Release 1 (11.1.x)

  • Oracle 10g Release 2 (10.2.x)

  • Oracle 10g Release 1 (10.1.x)

  • Oracle 9i Release 2 (9.2.x)

Changes since Release 6.x

Additions

  • Support for Oracle 12c

  • Support for OS X Yosemite, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2012

Fixes

  • Enhanced support for Oracle 11g

  • Enhanced support for OS X Mavericks

# PermaLink Comments [0]
06/23/2015 16:14 GMT-0500 Modified: 06/26/2015 10:41 GMT-0500
Announcement: UDA Release 7.0 Lite Edition ODBC Driver for Sybase and Microsoft SQL Server

In coming months, we'll be gradually shipping Release 7.0 of all our UDA drivers. This post will be the first of many, describing some of the fixes, changes, and improvements in each driver as they are made available.

Today, we have the Lite Edition ODBC Drivers for Sybase and Microsoft SQL Server.

Installation and configuration takes only minutes, by following the documentation which remains available anytime, specifically for this driver on OS X and Windows.

Release 7.0 licenses are also available for immediate purchase.

Client Platform Support

Release 7.0 installers are available for immediate download for Mac and Windows. Builds for Linux and other Unix-like OS will be available soon; please contact us if you have urgent need.

Release 7.0 supports all 32-bit and 64-bit ODBC client tools and applications, both GUI and command-line, on —

OS X and OS X Server
on x86 and x86_64
Windows and Windows Server
on x86 and x86_64
  • Yosemite (10.10.x) (x86_64)

  • Mavericks (10.9.x) (x86_64)

  • Mountain Lion (10.8.x) (x86_64)

  • Lion (10.7.x) (x86_64)

  • Windows 8.x (x86, x86_64)

  • Windows 7.x (x86, x86_64)

  • Windows Vista (x86, x86_64)

  • Windows XP (x86, x86_64)

  • Windows Server 2012 R2 (x86_64)

  • Windows Server 2012 (x86_64)

  • Windows Server 2008 R2 (x86_64)

  • Windows Server 2008 (x86, x86_64)

  • Windows Server 2003 R2 (x86, x86_64)

  • Windows Server 2003 (x86, x86_64)

DBMS Version Support

The Release 7.0 Lite Edition ODBC Driver supports virtually every version of Microsoft SQL Server and Sybase Adaptive Server in current use, including —

  • Microsoft SQL Server 6.5

  • Microsoft SQL Server 7.0

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2000

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2005

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2008

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2012

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2014

  • Microsoft SQL Azure

  • Sybase SQL Server 4.x

  • Sybase SQL Server 10.x

  • Sybase SQL Server 11.x

  • Sybase Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) 11.x

  • Sybase Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) 12.x

  • Sybase Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) 15.x

  • Sybase SQL Anywhere 6.x

  • Sybase Adaptive Server Anywhere (ASA) 7.x

  • Sybase Adaptive Server Anywhere (ASA) 8.x

  • Sybase Adaptive Server Anywhere (ASA) 9.x

  • Sybase SQL Anywhere 10.x

  • Sybase SQL Anywhere 11.x

Changes since Release 6.x

Additions

  • added support for SPARSE columns in SQLColumns() call

    • added DSN options SHOWSPARSECOLS / ShowSparseCols and Multi-Tier connect option -X )

    • details, based on test table:

           
      CREATE TABLE tbl_sparse_test 
        ( col1  INT SPARSE
        , col2  INT
        , col3  XML COLUMN_SET FOR ALL_SPARSE_COLUMNS 
        )
      
           
          
      • wildcard query will return only col2 and col3; will not include SPARSE columns. This is standard SQL Server behavior, and it cannot be changed.

               
        SELECT * 
          FROM tbl_sparse_test
          ;
        
               
              

        To include SPARSE columns in results, they must be explicitly SELECTed

               
        SELECT col1, col2, col3 
          FROM tbl_sparse_test
          ;
        
               
              
      • By default, calls to SQLColumns() don't return Sparse Columns. To receive full columns list:

        • via our Lite Edition ODBC driver —

          1. open connection with SHOWSPARSECOLS in DSN connection string, e.g., "DSN=TdsSQL;UID=sa;PWD=sa;SHOWSPARSECOLS=Y;"

          2. SQLColumns (hstmt, NULL, 0, NULL, 0, L"tbl_sparse_test", SQL_NTS, NULL, 0 );

        • via the Microsoft ODBC driver —

          1. SQLSetStmtAttr (hstmt, SQL_SOPT_SS_NAME_SCOPE, (SQLPOINTER)SQL_SS_NAME_SCOPE_EXTENDED, SQL_IS_SMALLINT);

          2. SQLColumns (hstmt, L"tempdb", SQL_NTS, L"dbo", SQL_NTS, L"tbl_sparse_test", SQL_NTS, NULL, 0 );

  • added support for new SQL Server datatypes such as datetime2

  • added support for NBCROW token

  • added support for Sybase 15

Fixes

  • fixed issue with SQL Server BIT datatype

  • fixed memory overwrite error, when DB procedure is called with SQL_PARAM_OUTPUT parameter of CHAR/VARCHAR/LONGVARCHAR

  • fixed issue with VARBINARY datatype and DB procedures

  • fixed issue with converting TIMESTAMP to CHAR/WCHAR

  • fixed datatype info in SQLGetTypeInfo -- new Sybase and MSSQL datatypes were added

  • fixed database catalog and query metadata info for Sybase 15's UNSIGNED INT, UNSIGNED SMALLINT, BIGINT, SYSNAME, LONGSYSNAME

# PermaLink Comments [0]
06/16/2015 17:43 GMT-0500 Modified: 06/23/2015 16:18 GMT-0500
Why Do I Need To Pay For ODBC, JDBC, ADO.NET, OLE-DB Drivers? (revisited)

Situation Analysis

It's the year 2015, and the fundamental issues associated with the utility of data access drivers remain confusing. Basically, we remain uncertain about the value-to-compensation alignment of ODBC (Open Database Connectivity), JDBC (Java Database Connectivity), and ADO.NET drivers/providers.

ODBC JDBC
Image Image
ADO.NET
Image

Why do we pay for anything?

After allowing for consumer irrationality [1], the basis of any payment is fundamentally tied to the monetization of opportunity costs. Essentially, we pay for one thing to alleviate the (usually higher) costs of something else.

The rest of this post focuses on highlighting the real pains associated with the $0.00 value misconception associated with Data Access Drivers: ODBC, JDBC, ADO.NET, OLE-DB, etc.

Real Costs of Data Access Drivers

In the most basic sense, there are some fundamental aspects of data access that are complex to implement and rarely implemented (if at all) by free drivers. The list includes:

  • Escape Syntaxes for Dates and Functions -- abstraction for dates and function signatures at the application level (i.e., the same abstraction works across all compliant databases)
  • Metadata Calls which enable smarter ODBC compliant applications -- this feature is typically missing in Drivers and abused by the Clients (consumers); i.e., clients are made DBMS specific by testing for specific DBMS names, rather than utilizing feature and functionality metadata returned by drivers
  • Scrollable Cursors -- this is how you deal with change sensitivity and paging through large datasets; some drivers actually fake support and get away with it due to shortage of applications to test proper cursor types (Static, Forward-Only, Key-Set, Dynamic, and Mixed models).

Beyond actual driver sophistication, in regards to key feature implementations, let's up the ante by veering into the area of data security. At the most basic level, It's extremely important to understand that all data access drivers provide read-write access to your databases; thus, it's imperative that data access drivers address the following:

  • Read-Only or Read-Write Access modalities scoped to specific
    • users
    • user groups
    • target databases
    • data access standards (e.g., ODBC, JDBC, ADO.NET)
    • client applications
    • client host operating systems
    • client host IP addresses
  • Any combination of the above as part of a configurable collection of data access rules (or policies).

Once you're done with security, you then have the thorny issue of data access and data flow management. In a nutshell, your driver needs to be able to handle:

  • Protection against Cartesian-product-based network flooding (e.g., user queries an enormous table without knowing or understanding back-end implications)
  • Enabling or Disabling of key DBMS engine data access optimization features (e.g. SQL RDBMS-specific extensions exposed via Environment Variables or SQL-command-based settings)
  • Conditional Connection Pooling across various dimensions such as Users, User Groups, Applications, Host Operating Systems, IP Addresses
  • Encryption of Data in Transit

Once you've dealt with Security and Data Flow, you then have to address the enforcement of these settings across a myriad of ODBC compliant host, which is where Zeroconfig and centralized data access administration comes into play i.e., configure once (locally) and enforce globally.

OpenLink Universal Data Access (UDA) Drivers

When OpenLink Software entered the ODBC Driver Market segment (circa 1992), the issues above were the fundamental basis of our Multi-Tier Drivers. Although the marketplace highlighted our drivers for high performance, stability, and specification adherence -- to all of which we remain committed -- our fundamental engineering focus has always been skewed towards configurable data security, platform independence, and scalability.

Every item of concern outlined in the section above is addressed by security features built into our Multi-Tier Drivers [2][3][4]. These features all leverage the fact that our multi-tier drivers include a sophisticated DB session rules book that enables construction and enforcement of user attribute (user name, application, client operating system, IP address, target database etc.) based rules which are applied to all database sessions (single or pooled).

Image

Today, in the year 2015, the security issues that pervade Data Access, whether via Native SQL RDBMS Drivers, or ODBC, JDBC, and ADO.NET Drivers/Providers, have only increased, courtesy of ubiquitous computing -- facilitated by the Internet & Web, across desktop and mobile device dimensions. Paradoxically, there remains a fundamental illusion that all Data Access Drivers are made the same; i.e., they simply provide you with the ability to connect to SQL RDBMS back-ends, for the industry standard price of $0.00, without consequence -- thereby skewing the very nature of SQL RDBMS data access and its security and privacy implications.

I hope that this post brings some clarity to a very serious security and general configuration management issues associated with Data Access Drivers. Free ODBC Drivers offer nothing; that's why they cost $0.00. When dealing with real issues associated with Open Data Access, you must have a handle on the inevitable issues of data security and privacy.

Links

  1. The Irrational Consumer: Why Economics Is Dead Wrong About How We Make Choices
  2. OpenLink Multi-Tier ODBC Drivers
  3. OpenLink Multi-Tier JDBC Drivers
  4. OpenLink Multi-Tier ADO.NET Providers

Related

# PermaLink Comments [0]
06/11/2015 17:18 GMT-0500 Modified: 07/17/2015 14:00 GMT-0500

The complete periodic table of elements is far more than a colorful chart hanging on the wall of a science classroom. It is one of the most profound and elegant achievements in the history of science—a masterful organization of everything that makes up our physical world. From the hydrogen that fuels the stars to the uranium that powers nuclear reactors, the periodic table is a comprehensive map of matter itself. Its completion represents not just a catalog of known substances, but a testament to human curiosity, pattern recognition, and the universal laws of chemistry and physics. The Architecture of Order At first glance, the table appears as a grid of 118 unique boxes, each containing an atomic number, a symbol, and a name. However, its true genius lies in its structure. The elements are arranged in order of increasing atomic number (the number of protons in the nucleus), but they are placed in specific rows (periods) and columns (groups) based on their electron configuration. This arrangement reveals recurring, or “periodic,” properties.

Philosophically, the periodic table speaks to a deep order in nature. It suggests that despite the immense diversity of materials—from the air we breathe to the gold in a wedding ring—everything is built from a limited set of fundamental components. Each element is a unique archetype, yet they are all connected through simple, repeating patterns. The table thus embodies reductionism: complex phenomena can be understood by breaking them down into their elemental parts. Is the periodic table truly complete? In one sense, yes—every spot from hydrogen (1) to oganesson (118) is filled. But science is never finished. Physicists continue to search for elements 119 and 120, which would begin an eighth period. Moreover, our understanding of existing elements continues to deepen. New isotopes, allotropes, and exotic chemical states are discovered regularly. The complete table is therefore a snapshot of our current knowledge—a dynamic document that will grow and refine itself as long as humans explore the nature of matter. Conclusion The complete periodic table is a triumph of human intellect. It transforms a chaotic list of substances into a coherent, beautiful system that reveals the hidden unity of the physical world. From its humble beginnings with Mendeleev to the synthetic superheavy elements of today, the table tells a story of discovery, persistence, and the relentless human desire to find order in complexity. Whether hanging in a school laboratory or guiding a Nobel Prize-winning experiment, the periodic table remains an enduring symbol of science: logical, elegant, and never truly final.

The 20th century saw a rapid expansion. Scientists filled in the gaps with elements like technetium (element 43) and promethium (element 61). Then came the “transuranium” elements—those beyond uranium (element 92)—synthesized in laboratories using particle accelerators and nuclear reactors. Elements such as neptunium, plutonium, and curium were created, followed by the superheavy elements like seaborgium (106) and oganesson (118). The table was declared “complete” when the seventh period was finally filled in 2016 with the official addition of four new elements: nihonium (113), moscovium (115), tennessine (117), and oganesson (118). However, scientists are now exploring the “island of stability,” suggesting that even heavier elements may exist, pushing the boundaries of completeness. The complete periodic table is indispensable in countless fields. Chemists use it to predict reaction outcomes and design new molecules. Physicists rely on it to understand nuclear structure and stellar nucleosynthesis—how stars forge heavier elements from lighter ones. Engineers and material scientists turn to the table to develop semiconductors, alloys, and medicines. The silicon (element 14) in your computer chip and the lithium (element 3) in your phone battery are both neighbors on this grand chart.

Elements in the same group, such as the noble gases in Group 18, share striking similarities: they are all odorless, colorless, and famously unreactive. In contrast, the alkali metals in Group 1 are all soft, highly reactive, and eager to lose an electron. The table’s layout thus becomes predictive: if you know an element’s position, you can infer its behavior, its bonding preferences, and even its physical state at room temperature. This predictive power is what elevates the periodic table from a simple list to a true scientific tool. The idea of a “complete” periodic table has evolved over time. In 1869, Dmitri Mendeleev published his first version, which included only 63 known elements. His revolutionary insight was to leave gaps for elements that had not yet been discovered, boldly predicting their properties. When gallium, germanium, and scandium were later found matching his predictions, the credibility of his table was cemented.