DSN File Documentation

Overview

Feature Value
File Extension .dsn
Full Name Database Source Name File
Type Configuration File
MIME Type application/octet-stream
Primary Association Database Connections
File Format Text
Editable Yes, with text editors
Encoding ASCII or UTF-8
Created by Microsoft Windows ODBC Data Source Administrator
Usage Defines Connection Strings for Databases
Contains Driver Information, Server Details, Authentication Details
Security May contain sensitive information (e.g., passwords)
Transferability Can be easily transferred between systems
Operating System Compatibility Windows primarily; Compatibility layers or similar applications on other systems
Default Location in Windows C:ProgramDataODBC
Related Tools ODBC Data Source Administrator, Text Editors
Alternative Options Direct database connection strings in application code, UDL Files
Advantages Easy database connection configuration, No need to hard-code connection details
Limitations Potential security risk if not managed properly, Platform dependency
File Creation Manually with text editor or via ODBC Data Source Administrator GUI