Note: This situation can only occur in versions of VTS prior to 8.0
Question: When I try to add a new application, I get a message dialog telling me that a data source by the same name exists. What is a data source, and why do I get this message?
A: By default, prior to version 8.0, VTS automatically generated a new ODBC data source for every new standard application you create. The acronym ODBC stands for "Open DataBase Connectivity", a standard database access method that enables access to any data from any database, regardless of which database management system or "DBMS" is handling the data. This is accomplished by means of ODBC drivers that are inserted between the application and the DBMS to facilitate communications. In short, an ODBC data source is a specialized software component that enables VTS to access data from your application's tag properties database (Points.mdb).
You will typically not have to concern yourself with the ODBC data source, its title, or its operation, as VTS handles it for you. As the ODBC data source automatically generated by VTS for your application is named based upon the name you've given your new VTS application, there are 2 possible circumstances under which duplicate ODBC data sources might occur:
If the name you've given your new application duplicates the name of an application you've manually deleted in the past (i.e. deleted its folder from within the VTS installation directory rather than using the VAM's Remove button to do so), the deleted application's ODBC data source still remains on your PC; or
If the name you've given your new application duplicates the name of an existing application that still exists on your workstation (but that may or may not be added to the VAM), the existing application's ODBC data source still remains on your PC.
Whether you use the existing ODBC data source, create a new ODBC data source, or begin creating the new application again from scratch, depends upon a variety of factors.