Named data sources (DSN) can be used (like in ODBC) to name some connections and define their connection parameters, it becomes easier to use them (one just has to remember the DSN name), and it becomes possible to change the connection parameters without changing any code.
They can be listed using the .l command, and details about a DSN can be listed using the same command with the DSN name as argument:
gda> .l
DSN list
DSN | Description | Provider
---------------------+--------------------------------------+-----------
Bugzilla | Bugzilla data source | MySQL
koha | | PostgreSQL
SalesTest | Test database for a sales department | SQLite
(3 rows)
gda> .l SalesTest
DSN 'SalesTest' description
Attribute | Value
------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DSN | SalesTest
Provider | SQLite
Description | Test database for a sales department
Connection string | DB_DIR=/home/user/name/.libgda;DB_NAME=sales_test
Username |
Global | FALSE
(6 rows)
gda>
The .lr DSN_NAME [DSN_NAME...] command removes the DSN listed as arguments, and the The .lc command creates (or modifies an existing) DSN, such as show:
gda> .lc my_dsn PostgreSQL://DB_NAME=my_db;HOST=moon
gda> .l my_dsn
DSN 'my_dsn' description
Attribute | Value
------------------+------------------------
DSN | my_dsn
Provider | PostgreSQL
Description |
Connection string | DB_NAME=my_db;HOST=moon
Username |
Global | FALSE
(6 rows)
gda>