4

I'm writing a custom module and I need to access data that is currently stored in an MSSql database. It would be great if I could use the built-in database abstraction layer, but obviously that isn't possible.

Are there any modules or resources that provide a similar abstraction layer for MSSql?

If not, how would I go about writing my own? I feel very badly about just putting the connection and query strings directly in the module, it seems so.. antiquated.

2 Answers 2

4

Since you didn't specify a Drupal version, I'll try to answer for both Drupal 6 and 7.

Drupal 7

See http://drupal.org/project/sqlsrv

Drupal 6

Even if there would be SQL Server integration in the official db-api, it wouldn't help you much because with Drupal 6, you can only connect to multiple databases of the same type. This is why https://github.com/dereine/views_pgsql was created for example.

However, it might be an option to use the DBTNG project, which is a backport of the new Drupal 7 database abstraction layer and use that in combination with the sqlsrv project. I haven't tested that but it could work. And if not, maybe with a few changes (which you could contribute back)

2
  • Ah yeah, should've specified - Drupal 6
    – oranges13
    Mar 30, 2011 at 16:43
  • @oranges13 FYI Drupal 7 uses PDO so you should be able to use MSSQL out of the box with little trouble
    – Alex Weber
    Apr 19, 2011 at 20:01
1

Module Forena is another alternative to consider. It can be used to query (not update) any MS SQL database. For more details about Forena, 2 types of documentation are available:

  • Community documentation.
  • Documentation that comes with Forena, which you can access right after install and enable of the module. Checkout the demo site for an online example of the current:

    • Forena documentation - use the link 'Reporting documentation' or visit relative link /reports/help.
    • Forena samples - use the link 'Reporting samples' or visit relative link /reports/samples (these samples are fully functional, so make sure to experiment a bit with it, such as the drill downs available on the SVG Graph sample).

The newest 7.x-4.x version also includes an amazing (I think) UI for either creating your reports (the WYSIWYG report editor) and/or for creating your SQL queries (the Query Builder).

Here are some variations of the MS SQL database part in the questions:

  1. Using a SQLite instead of MySQL database: the Forena samples actually get shipped including a (Tiny) SQLite database. Go check it out in the demo site: the data shown there are data contained in the sampledb, which is in SQLite format.
  2. Forena comes with a full suite of Supported database connections ... such as MySQL, MS SQL, Oracle, Postgress or any PDO compliant variation.

Enough reasons for considering giving Forena a try? While doing so, use it's issue queue for any type of support/docu requests you may have.

Be aware: I'm a co-maintainer of Forena.

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.