• In the data model editor,
• With HDescribeConnection, HChangeConnection, etc.
• By using the Connection type and the WLanguage properties.

To describe a connection in the data model editor:

1. Open the data model editor.
2. On the "Analysis" tab, in the "Connection" group, click "Connections".
3. In the wizard for connection creation, specify:
   • The type of connection to create (HFSQL Client/Server or external database),
   • The characteristics of the connection (port, database, user, password, ...).
4. If a connection was already described in the analysis, the list of connections as well as their characteristics displays (this list can be modified and tested).

• HDescribeConnection describes a new connection to an external database. This connection is named. Specific parameters can be defined such as the management mode of cursors (if the accessed database allows it).
• To associate this connection with a table or with a file, use HChangeConnection.
• To open the connection, use HOpenConnection. If the parameters of the connection described by HDescribeConnection are incorrect, HOpenConnection will return an error.
• With HDescribeConnection, an Oracle table description imported into the analysis can be directly used by HFSQL Classic data files. Simply describe a temporary connection to an HFSQL Classic database and associate it with the file description from in the analysis.

• describe a new connection (equivalent to HDescribeConnection).
• create a connection (that will be opened by HOpenConnection).
• modify an existing connection.