# What Method Should I Use?

There are inherent benefits to using each method. Review the Method Selection chart to determine which method will better suit your requirements.

Method Selection | High Level | Low Level
Exchange data between filePro and ODBC data source files on an on-going basis. Method to select is dependent on programmer s level of experience with filePro. If you have used advanced programming functions such as arrays, understand use of subscripts and know a little about SQL, the Low-Level method should be used. Otherwise, begin with the High-Level method. |  | X
One-time exchange between filePro and ODBC data source or limited Query access to merge/compare data in your filePro files. High-Level method is very quickly implemented and will save you time. | X |
Integrate use of indexing with large ODBC databases that are updated by filePro as well as other applications developed in MS Access, SQL 2000 Server, etc. Low-level is recommended since filePro s automatic indexes will not do the job for you. You will need to address the indexing requirements using SQL clauses such as ORDER BY and should create necessary table indexes on the ODBC data source as required. |  | X
Integrate use of indexing with ODBC databases of any size that are updated only by filePro but accessed by other applications such as MS Access, SQL 2000 Server, etc. for things like read-only queries, to produce charts and create reports. High-Level will work well here since you can take advantage of filePro s automatic indexes, "Define Screens", "Define Edits" and other utilities and treat the ODBC data source just like a filePro file. Although this type of application can also be implemented using the Low-Level method, the High-Level method has the advantage here since you can more quickly implement this method and utilize all of filePro s advanced programming options to integrate access to the ODBC databases. | X |
Periodically exchange data between filePro and ODBC data sources for weekly or monthly reports where indexes are not needed. High-Level or Low-Level can be used and method selected is dependent on the size of the ODBC databases, how much updating activity there is on the ODBC data sources. If the ODBC databases are typically small and are not being updated when exchanging the data, e.g. nightly batch processing, use the High-Level method. If the data sources are large corporate databases or you need to exchange data while the source files are being updated by other than a filePro applications, use the Low-Level method. | X | X
Create new ODBC data source tables from filePro. Use the Low-Level method since you cannot create new data source tables with the High-Level method but can only link to existing tables. |  | X