Open Database Connectivity (ODBC)

Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) is a standard method that allows different software applications to communicate with various databases. Think of it as a translator that enables programs to send and receive information from databases, regardless of the database type. For example, an accounting software can use ODBC to access data from an Excel spreadsheet or a SQL database without needing to know the specifics of each system. This flexibility makes it easier for developers to build applications that can work with different data sources, streamlining data management and integration.