Delphi : Connecting with SQL Server using FireDAC

FireDAC is universal data access library which provides a common API to connect with different database back-end , maintaining the access to database specific features and without compromising on performance. FireDAC enables native high-speed access to almost all enterprise database including no SQL databases such as MongoDB

In this article we will connect MS SQL Server database with Delphi using FireDAC. We will go through code to make database connection.

Start a new Delphi application

Go to Delphi IDE and select File -> New -> VCL Form application - Delphi

Add a TButton to Delphi Form

Add FireDAC component to private section of the class

• TFDPhysMSSQLDriverLink
• TFDConnection
• TFDQuery

uses
  Winapi.Windows, Winapi.Messages, System.SysUtils, System.Variants, System.Classes, Vcl.Graphics,
  Vcl.Controls, Vcl.Forms, Vcl.Dialogs, FireDAC.Stan.Intf, FireDAC.Stan.Option,
  FireDAC.Stan.Error, FireDAC.UI.Intf, FireDAC.Phys.Intf, FireDAC.Stan.Def,
  FireDAC.Stan.Pool, FireDAC.Stan.Async, FireDAC.Phys, FireDAC.VCLUI.Wait,
  FireDAC.Phys.MSSQLDef, FireDAC.Stan.Param, FireDAC.DatS, FireDAC.DApt.Intf,
  FireDAC.DApt, Data.DB, FireDAC.Comp.DataSet, FireDAC.Comp.Client,
  FireDAC.Phys.ODBCBase, FireDAC.Phys.MSSQL, Vcl.StdCtrls;

type
  TForm2 = class(TForm)
    Button1: TButton;
  private
    { Private declarations }
    FDBConnection: TFDConnection;
    FMSSQLDriverLink: TFDPhysMSSQLDriverLink;
  public
    { Public declarations }
  end;
var
  Form2: TForm2;
implementation
{$R *.dfm}
end.

Note the units added to uses clause related to components used in the application.

Add the below code to button click event

procedure TForm2.Button1Click(Sender: TObject);
begin
  try
    FMSSQLDriverLink := TFDPhysMSSQLDriverLink.Create(nil);
    FDBConnection := TFDConnection.Create(nil);
    FDBConnection.Params.DriverID := 'MSSQL';
    FDBConnection.Params.UserName := 'sa';
    FDBConnection.Params.Password := '<your_password>';
    FDBConnection.Params.Database := '<your_database>';
    FDBConnection.Params.Add('server=<your_DB_server>');
    FDBConnection.Connected := True;
    if FDBConnection.Connected then begin
      ShowMessage('Connected successfully');
    end;
  finally
    if FDBConnection.Connected then begin
      FDBConnection.Close;
    end;
  end;
end;

This is very basic steps to connect with SQL server using FireDAC, let me know your thoughts in comment.

I have prepared a YouTube video to show a demo of Delphi - MSSQL connection Connect Delphi with MSSQL database using FireDAC