Data Link Tab

The Data Link tab specifies the information TestStand requires to connect to a database. The Data Link tab contains the following options:

• Select Data Link —Launches the Select Data Link dialog box. When you select a predefined data link from the list, TestStand updates the Connection String control on the Data Link tab with the value of the data link.
• Database Handle (Number) —The name of a Number variable or property to which the value of the database is assigned. You must release this handle by calling a Close Database step and using this handle value as the handle to close. Click the Expression Browse button to launch the Expression Browser dialog box.
• Connection String —The connection string TestStand uses to open the data source. The Connection String control requires a string expression TestStand evaluates at run time. The expression can be a literal value or a string you build using variables or properties. When the value is a literal string, you must encapsulate the string value with quotes ( "" ).
  Note Refer to the documentation for the database you use to determine whether and how you can communicate to the database securely. National Instruments recommends that you do not use a plain text password to connect to databases with sensitive information.

  You can update the contents of the Connection String control as follows:

  • Expression Browse —Launches an Expression Browser dialog box, in which you can edit a connection string expression.
  • Find File —Selects a Microsoft Data Link ( .udl ) filename as the connection string. When you select a Data Link file, TestStand updates the Connection String control with the name of the file, as in the following example:

    "FILE NAME=C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\System\\OLE DB\\Data Links\\Access.udl"

  • View —Launches the Database Viewer application and opens the connection string within the viewer.
  • Build —Constructs a connection string using the Data Link Properties dialog box.

See Also

Data Link Properties dialog box

Database Known Issues

Database Logging

Database Viewer Application

Expression Browser dialog box

Select Data Link dialog box