Microsoft SQL Server/Connecting to MS SQL Server from *nix

This tutorial assumes you are using a Debian-based distribution of Linux; if not, you might have to modify the instructions appropriately for your distro.

Downloading

To install both freetds and the drivers for iODBC and unixodbc use apt-get, i.e.,

apt-get install tdsodbc

If you plan to use iODBC, you'll want to run

apt-get install libiodbc2 libiodbc2-dev

If you're using Perl, after you install FreeTDS you'll want to install the DBD for Sybase:

export SYBASE=/etc
cpan DBD::Sybase

Glossary

TDS

Designed by Sybase, the Tabular Data Stream Protocol (TDS) describes how to communicate with MS-SQL and Sybase databases.

Troubleshooting

Many of the errors here are to assist those with Google searches and the users.

Failing to set SYBASE

The following error is a result of not setting the Sybase configuration variable

[ERROR] [Thu Mar 13 11:07:42 2008] Could not run '/usr/local/bin/perl Makefile.PL': Please set SYBASE in CONFIG, or
set the $SYBASE environment variable at /root/.cpanplus/5.10.0/build/DBD-Sybase-1.08/Makefile.PL line 103, <IN>
line 44.

External Links

1. iODBC
2. FreeTDS

References

1. Haynes, Tim (2004-03-23). "ODBC-Perl HOWTO". OpenLink Software. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
2. Bruns, Brian (2006). "FreeTDS User Guide: A Guide to Installing, Configuring, and Running FreeTDS". Retrieved 2008-03-04. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |otherauthors= ignored (help)