ODBC Timeout problem.

Question

I am trying to use the query timeout of the ODBC specification while accessing an Oracle 8i database from within a client code written in MS Visual C++ 6.0.
I use Oracle's ODBC driver version 8.01.07.810.
(Microsoft's ODBC driver for Oracle does not implement
the ODBC Timeout feature).
During my tests I use a special stored procedure which
forces my call to wait for a specified number of seconds far much than the amount I specifed in my client code
(via setting the SQL_ATTR_QUERY_TIMEOUT attribute with
SQLSetStmtAttr).
I use synchronous query execution, and ideally my code should block until either a response arrives from the database or timeout ocurs. Unfortunately, my blocked query execution never timeouts and waits until the database responds. "Enable Query Timeout" box is checked witin the ODBC Driver configuration window for the system DSN I use to access the database.
When I try the same test setting with an MS_SQL Sever instead of an Oracle connection (via the Microsoft's driver manager for SQL Server as expected), everyting works fine and the timeout occurs.
Is there anyone who has an idea on why this could happen?
Many thanks in advance.
A.F.Ates

Answer 1

Jules,
Thanks for the pointer. So what does my 'connection string'
look like with your suggestion in the above example? Would the code
Dim MM_connPathData_STRING
MM_connPathData_STRING = "PROVIDER=SQLOLEDB;DATA
SOURCE=PATHOLOGY1;UID=user;PWD=pass;DATABASE=pathnet_data"
be significantly quicker?
I *have* looked at the database but my problem is there is
nothing I can do with the underlying structure - I'm just working
with what I'm given )-; What I need is a way of connecting to the
data regardless of the response time. What I am giving the users is
a view on *their* data - essentially, if it's slow then that is
their problem!!
Again, thanks for all and any input,
Simon