## DESCRIPTION

db.connect allows the user to set database connection parameters. These parameters are then taken as default values by modules so that the user does not need to enter the parameters each time.

The default database backend in GRASS 7 is SQLite.

## NOTES

Values are stored in the mapset's `VAR` file; the connection is not tested for validity.

The -p flag will display the current connection parameters.

The -c flag will silently check if the connection parameters have been set, and if not will set them to use GRASS's default values. (useful in scripts before you attempt to create a new database table)

To connect a vector map to a database table, use v.db.connect or v.db.addtable.

## EXAMPLES

### SQLite (default backend)

Local storage:

    db.connect -d
    db.connect -p
    db.tables -p

The SQLite database file is created automatically when used the first time.

### ODBC

Network storage: (may require the use of db.login):

    db.connect driver=odbc database=gtest
    db.login user=myname [pass=secret]
    db.connect -p
    db.tables -p

### PostgreSQL

Network storage: (may require the use of db.login):

    db.connect driver=pg database="host=myserver.itc.it,dbname=mydb"
    db.login user=myname [pass=secret]
    db.connect -p
    db.tables -p

### PostgreSQL with different port

Network storage: (may require the use of db.login):

    db.connect driver=pg database="host=myserver.itc.it,dbname=mydb,port=6666"
    db.login user=myname [pass=secret]
    db.connect -p
    db.tables -p

### MySQL (local)

Local storage (db.login may not be needed):

    db.connect driver=mysql database=mydb
    db.login user=myname [pass=secret]
    db.connect -p
    db.tables -p

### MySQL (external server)

Network storage: (may require the use of db.login):

    db.connect driver=mysql database="host=myserver.itc.it,dbname=mydb"
    db.login user=myname [pass=secret]
    db.connect -p
    db.tables -p

### DBF (not recommended)

Local storage (the dbf/ subdirectory in the mapset must exist or must be created by the user):

    db.connect driver=dbf database='$GISDBASE/$LOCATION_NAME/$MAPSET/dbf/'
    db.tables -p

## SEE ALSO

db.columns, db.copy, db.drivers, db.login, db.tables, v.db.addtable, v.db.connect

GRASS SQL interface

## AUTHORS

Main author: Radim Blazek, ITC-Irst, Trento, Italy
GRASS 7 improvements: Martin Landa, Markus Metz

Last changed: $Date$