DataLens is a specification for a programming interface that enables applications such as 1-2-3 to access external data sources through the client-server model. Developed at Lotus, DataLens was designed to support access from both decision support and transaction-oriented applications to a broad spectrum of backend servers and data sources. Differences in access protocols are transparent to both the application and its end user. The specification permits DataLens applications to leverage advanced database server features if desired, without requiring that all data sources supply these features. This paper covers the DataLens architecture, how it copes with differences in server capabilities, and how it compares with other approaches to heterogeneous data access.
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