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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11A database call-level interface (CLI) is a library of functions an application calls to connect to a database, send SQL statements for processing at runtime, and retrieve results. Instead of putting SQL directly into the host program, the application passes SQL to the database through those function calls. Microsoft Learn describes CLI as a way to submit SQL without embedding it in the program or using a precompiler.
How does a database call-level interface work?
The application calls interface functions, and those functions communicate with the database management system (DBMS). In a client/server setup, the application calls functions locally while the interface communicates with the DBMS over the network.
A typical interaction follows this sequence:
- Connect: Call a CLI function to establish a connection to the DBMS.
- Prepare and execute: Build a SQL statement in the application and pass it to the interface, which sends it to the DBMS for preparation and execution.
- Retrieve results: For a
SELECTstatement, call an interface function to place results in application buffers. Results are typically returned one row or one column at a time. - Disconnect: Call a CLI function to end the database connection.
This is the general pattern, not a set of universal API signatures. The exact functions and behavior depend on the interface and DBMS. Microsoft’s ODBC API reference describes the sequence.
How is CLI different from embedded SQL?
With embedded SQL, SQL statements appear in the host program and are processed by a precompiler. With CLI, the host source contains calls to interface functions, and the application passes SQL to the DBMS at runtime. Microsoft characterizes CLI’s runtime approach as similar to dynamic SQL.
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| Approach | Where SQL appears | Precompiler | When SQL is passed to the DBMS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Call-level interface (CLI) | Passed through calls to interface functions rather than embedded in host source | Not required for CLI | At runtime |
| Embedded SQL | In the host program | Used to process the embedded statements | Processed through the embedded-SQL workflow |
DBMSs that support embedded SQL may generate function calls beneath the surface, but Microsoft notes those calls may be undocumented and subject to change. That does not make embedded SQL and CLI interchangeable from the application developer’s perspective.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What does “CLI” mean here?
In database programming, CLI means call-level interface: application-callable functions for database access. It should not be confused with a command-line interface, which is a text-based way for a person to interact with a program or operating system. On first use, “database CLI” or “SQL/CLI” makes the intended meaning clear.
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