Oracle XE 64 Bit ODBC connection with 32 bit c# application

Question

I created a C# Windows Form Application(32Bit) using visual studio 2015 and dotNet Framework 4. I want that client can connect his database using odbc dsn , whether it's a 32bit OS or 64bit OS. on 32 bit OS , it's working fine, but on 64bit OS , it's not working, since oracle XE 64 bit is installed.

More details The Application can connect to any datasource using ODBC.The problem is comming when application is trying to connect oracle XE (64bit) installed on local system of the client,because in case of 32 bit everything works fine. So anything additional needs to be installed on the system so that 32 bit application can connect to oracle XE (64) installed on client machine ?

Answer 1

Yes, there is not much you can do about this. The ODBC driver is either 32-bit or 64-bit and it has to match the architecture (ie 32-bit or 64-bit) of your application. The Oracle client has to be also in the same architecture.

I see three solutions:

• You provide two versions of your application. One 32-bit version and one 64-bit version. Many application around the world are provided in this two options.

• Create a 32-bit application with 32-bit ODBC driver. Such 32-bit application works also on a 64-bit Windows without any problem. 64-bit Windows supports 32-bit and 64-bit applications.

• Use the ODP.NET Managed Driver . This works for both, 32-bit and 64-bit. However, it does not utilize the ODBC DSN

If you like to be independent you can install both Oracle Clients, 32-bit and 64-bit on one machine. Follow this instruction .