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url: /flow/guide/administering-flow/configuring-flow/data-connections.md
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# Data Connections

Data Connections provide a pointer to the location of a data source. Flow needs to know where the data source is located. By being a separate module from the Data Definition it allows you to create a single Data Definition and use it against multiple similar data sources in different locations simply by assigning a different Data Connection.

There are three types of Data Connections;

## DB Connections

[DB Connections](/flow/guide/administering-flow/configuring-flow/data-connections/db-connections/) provide a pointer to a database.

## File Connections

[File Connections](/flow/guide/administering-flow/configuring-flow/data-connections/file-connections/) provide a pointer to a local file repository (folder). Any files that are processed are done so in this local repository. Transports are used to send or receive files from this local repository.

## Web Connections

[Web Connections](/flow/guide/administering-flow/configuring-flow/data-connections/web-connections/) provide a pointer to a Web Service (SOAP).