External data sources are configuration objects that facilitate interaction with external databases that not based on 1C:Enterprise. These objects allow external data to be used within an application as seamlessly as if it were stored directly in the infobase.

An external data source can retrieve data from ODBC sources on Windows and Linux operating systems. When running with Microsoft SQL Server, IBM DB2, PostgreSQL, or Oracle Database, the system supports the full capabilities of the Query Language. Additionally, external data sources allow you to connect the application to multidimensional data sources, such as:

• Microsoft Analysis Services;
• Oracle Essbase;
• IBM InfoSphere Warehouse.

When connecting to other DBMS, certain Query Language constructs may not function due to limitations in the specific ODBC driver employed.

An external data source is composed of a set of tables.

Tables within an external data source can be described manually or via the wizard.

Using a connection string, the wizard connects to the external database and provides a list of tables available for import.

Each table acts as an independent configuration object. It contains a set of fields, and developers can define forms, commands, and templates for it.

Tables from external sources are used in the configuration exactly like tables from any other configuration object.

For instance, the platform can automatically generate forms for them, or a developer can create custom forms manually.

Data in these tables can be accessed using the Query Language.

These tables are also fully compatible with reports built on the Data Composition System.

Moreover, items in these tables can be referenced just like any other reference-type data, such as catalogs or documents.

Next page: DBF files