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url: >-
  /statelake/administering-statelake/designer/data-connections/db-database-connections.md
---

# DB (Database) Connections

A **DB Connection** is a pointer to a database.

**Statelake** has drivers for the major SQL databases that provide direct high-speed access through the databases client library. ODBC and ADO connections are also available for databases that do not have specific connections.

**DB Connections** are used on all **Data Definitions**. For **File Definitions** and **Web Definitions** this allows you to reference data from a database against the information in the **File Definition** or **Web Definition**, although commonly you do not need to reference data in this way, and instead use bespoke SQL commands in the **Map**.

However, since you need to assign a **DB Connection** to a **File Definition** and a **Web Definition**, it is recommended that you create a default **DB Connection** that points to your **Statelake** configuration database and use this on the **File Definition** and **Web Definitions**.

## Fields

| Field Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Connection Name | Use a friendly name for the **DB Connection**. This is the name that the connection will be known as throughout the configuration. You should enter something meaningful to help you recognise the connection. |
| Use Config Database | Tick this box to automatically use the Server Name and database name of the configuration database that contains this connection. These details are the same that are being used by the built-in **DB Connection** called \_Self. The field values under the General Tab will be pre-populated and cannot be edited while this box remains ticked. |
| Use Config Database Server only | Tick this box to make this **DB Connection** use the Server Name of the configuration database that contains this connection. The Server Name field on the General Tab will be pre-populated and cannot be edited while this box remains ticked. The other details must still be specified. |

## Buttons

| Button Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Save | Click to **Save** any changes you have made. All changes will be lost if you do not click the **Save** button. |
| Cancel | Click to **Cancel** any changes you have made. |
| Delete | Click to **Delete** any changes you have made. |
| Test | Click to test the connections as specified. |