User Guide

Chapter 3: Querying a Database 19
Adding Data Sources
You add data sources in the ColdFusion Administrator to define connection
requirements for database access.
When you add a data source, you assign it a name so that you can reference it within
tags such as CFQUERY on application pages to query databases. During a query, the
data source tells ColdFusion which database to connect to and what parameters to use
for the connection.
To add a data source:
1. Start the ColdFusion Administrator. On Windows, Select Start > Programs >
ColdFusion Server > ColdFusion Administrator. On UNIX, enter the URL
hostname/CFIDE/administrator in your browser.
The Administrator prompts you for a password if you assigned one to the
ColdFusion Server during install.
2. Enter a password to gain access to the Administrator.
3. Choose ODBC under the Data Sources heading on the left menu.
4. Name the data source
CompanyInfo.
5. Select Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb) from the dropdown box to describe the
ODBC driver.
6. Choose Add.
7. In the Database File field, enter the full path of the company.mdb Access database
and click OK.
8. Choose Create to create the CompanyInfo data source.