Since SQL Server is a relational database I would imagine that the way you access it is fairly similar to any othe relational database system. Of course, COBOL has such a long legacy that it has connected to all manner of weird and wonderful databases in its time. Upcoming FREE developer events: * Glasgow: Agile in the Enterprise Vs. ISVs, db4o: An Embeddable Database Engine for Object-Oriented Environments, Mock Objects, SQL Server CLR Integration, Reporting Services ... My website