The Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) interface by Microsoft allows applications to access data in database management systems (DBMS) using SQL as a standard for accessing the data. ODBC permits maximum interoperability, which means a single application can access different DBMS. Application end users can then add ODBC database drivers to link the application to their choice of DBMS.
The ODBC solution for accessing data led to ODBC database drivers, which are dynamic-link libraries on Windows and shared objects on UNIX and Linux. These drivers allow an application to gain access to one or more data sources. ODBC provides a standard interface to allow application developers and vendors of database drivers to exchange data between applications and data sources.
Using ODBC, you, as an application developer can develop, compile, and ship an application without targeting a specific DBMS. In this scenario, you do not need to use embedded SQL; therefore, you do not need to recompile the application for each new environment.