[Zope-DB] ZODBCDA-3.1.0b2-win32-x86.tgz on Linux

[Kent Hoxsey]

>>> It seems to want a file called "sql.py", rather than the supplied 
>>> sql.pyd.  Since sql.pyd is binary, python won't parse it.
>>>
>>> I really need to get these AS/400 tables up on the website.  I've 
>>> successfully done it on php, and if I can't do it on Zope, I'm going 
>>> to have to program some very quirky workarounds!

Alexander,

I'm not a python expert, but I'm pretty sure that if your PYTHONPATH is set
correctly, python will find sql.pyd just fine.

I've got some experience setting up both unixODBC and iODBC on Linux, and
have found that I needed to be disciplined to get everything working properly.
My process is as follows:

0. Start with a solid Linux install. There's no point in working from an unstable
starting point.

1. Install the database access drivers. In my case, this was FreeTDS to access
MS SQL servers. In your case, this will be whatever the driver is that accesses
AS400 tables.

2. Use a low-level tool to test the driver install. All of the drivers I'm familiar with
come with one (Oracle has sqlplus, FreeTDS has tsql, etc.) There's no reason to
start installing software layers higher in the stack until you have the driver working
properly.

3. Install your middleware tool. I used iODBC because it worked with the FreeTDS
stuff I needed, but I'm not sure which ODBC manager works with your AS400 
driver.

4. Use your ODBC manager's test tool to make sure your connection works. iODBC
comes with iodbctest, I forget the name of the unixODBC test tool. Since you've 
already established that your driver works, problems at this level are usually a
case of misconfigured ODBC.ini.

5. Install the mxODBC tools. They should have no trouble hooking up with your
ODBC manager, although I did notice one detail with iODBC - you really, really
need to set the ODBCINI variable to the location of your odbc.ini file.

If you follow these steps, making sure each layer of software works properly before
trying to install the next layer, you should be able to get everything working nicely.

Kent