ConnectionString

A string that tells ADO how to connect to the data source. This string might contain an OLEDB provider, the name of a server, or it might identify just the database you’re accessing.

RecordSource

A string that identifies the actual data source. This string might be the name of a table. More than likely it will be a SELECT statement identifying only those fields and records you want to access.

CommandType

This property specifies the type of information identified by the RecordSource property. There are four possibilities: adCmdText (SQL), adCmdTable (table), adCmdStoredProc, and adCmdUnknown. The default property setting is adCmdUnknown. Specifying a more specific type improves performance. However, a mismatch will return an error.

CursorLocation

You can specify whether your cursor resides on the client or the server. A client-side cursor, adUseClient, improves response time, but increases network traffic as all the data must be sent to the client each time the cursor is created. On the other hand, a client-side cursor, adUseServer, produces less network traffic but requires additional resources from the server. In addition, a server-side cursor may limit the cursor’s functionality.

CursorType

You have four choices when determining the type of cursor you want for your recordset. Refer to Table B for more information on cursor types.

LockType

This property controls the locking behavior for the records in your recordset. Refer to Table C for more information.

MaxRecords

Limits the size of the recordset. The default is zero, which means the connection returns all records that satisfy the query. If you supply a value, regardless of the number of records the query matches, the connection will return only the specified amount.

CacheSize

Controls the number of records kept in the provider’s buffer and also controls the number of records retrieved into local memory at one time.

CommandTimeout

Determines the amount of elapsed time between the request for data and the cancel command. If you set this property to 0, VB will not cancel the request.

UserName

The user name you need to log into your data source. If this name isn’t included in the ConnectionString property, you must specify it here.

Password

The password you need to log into your data source. If this password isn’t included in the ConnectionString property you must specify it here.

EOFAction

Determines how the control reacts when you try to move past the last record when the current record is the last record in the recordset. The setting adDoMoveLast (the default), keeps the cursor at the last record; adStayEOF disables the control’s Next button; adDoAddNew moves past the last record and displays a blank form so you can enter a new record.

BOFAction

This property is similar to the EOFAction, except that it works with the first record instead of the last. In other words, if you click the Previous button while sitting on the first record, the adDoMoveFirst will stay at the first record; adStayBOF disables the Previous button.

adOpenDynamic

Dynamic cursors require more overhead, but they immediately update changes to underlying tables.

adOpenKeyset

This option is similar to the dynamic setting, but you can’t see additions made by other users. You can see changes and deleted record aren’t available.

adOpenStatic

If seeing changes, additions, and deletions isn’t important, consider using a static cursor. You can still make changes, additions, and deletions if necessary.

adOpenForwardOnly

A forward cursor is similar to a static cursor except for one point. You can only move forward through the recordset. You won’t use this setting when working with data controls.

adLockReadOnly

There are no locks on the data because you can’t change the data. That way, other users can still access and change data.

adLockPessimistic

Locks a record as soon as you retrieve it so other users can’t change it.

adLockOptimistic

Waits to lock a record until you actually update it.

adLockBatchOptimistic

Used when updating records in batches instead of one at a time.