# Is SQL Server not supported in RoR on the Mac? **URL:** \ **Category:** Rails\ **Created:** [February 29, 2008, 5:49pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/is-sql-server-not-supported-in-ror-on-the-mac/187412 "2008-02-29T17:49:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/7ab992/32.png) [@biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/biot023)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 5:49pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/is-sql-server-not-supported-in-ror-on-the-mac/187412/1 "2008-02-29T17:49:10Z")
Hi – I’ve been having problems connecting to a SQL Server database that I thought might be related to the fact I was upgrading Rails to 2.0. However, I also was moving the project to my shiny new macbook. Anyway, after jumping through a few hoops (instaling DBI, etc.), I finally get to my latest error message: DBI::InterfaceError: Could not load driver (no such file to load -- win32ole) from /usr/local/lib/ruby/site\_ruby/1.8/dbi.rb:344:in `load_driver' from /usr/local/lib/ruby/site_ruby/1.8/dbi.rb:227:in `\_get\_full\_driver' from /usr/local/lib/ruby/site\_ruby/1.8/dbi.rb:213:in `connect' from /usr/local/lib/ruby/gems/1.8/gems/activerecord-sqlserver-adapter-1.0.0/lib/active_record/connection_adapters/sqlserver_adapter.rb:46:in `sqlserver\_connection' from /usr/local/lib/ruby/gems/1.8/gems/activerecord-2.0.2/lib/active\_record/connection\_adapters/abstract/connection\_specification.rb:291:in `send' from /usr/local/lib/ruby/gems/1.8/gems/activerecord-2.0.2/lib/active_record/connection_adapters/abstract/connection_specification.rb:291:in `connection=' from /usr/local/lib/ruby/gems/1.8/gems/activerecord-2.0.2/lib/active\_record/connection\_adapters/abstract/connection\_specification.rb:259:in `retrieve_connection' from /usr/local/lib/ruby/gems/1.8/gems/activerecord-2.0.2/lib/active_record/connection_adapters/abstract/connection_specification.rb:78:in `connection' from /usr/local/lib/ruby/gems/1.8/gems/activerecord-2.0.2/lib/active\_record/base.rb:2438:in `quoted_table_name' from /usr/local/lib/ruby/gems/1.8/gems/activerecord-2.0.2/lib/active_record/base.rb:1353:in `construct\_finder\_sql' from /usr/local/lib/ruby/gems/1.8/gems/activerecord-2.0.2/lib/active\_record/base.rb:1233:in `find_every' from /usr/local/lib/ruby/gems/1.8/gems/activerecord-2.0.2/lib/active_record/base.rb:1227:in `find\_initial' from /usr/local/lib/ruby/gems/1.8/gems/activerecord-2.0.2/lib/active\_record/base.rb:502:in `find' from (irb):1 This seems to suggest that the SQL Server connection won’t work on my Mac, which also suggests that the Unix web server I’m wanting to build that will connect to the SQL Server database won’t either. Is this correct? Can anyone advise any workarounds, or maybe a place to start looking into fixing this? Cheers, Doug. PS – I have no choice but to work with SQL Server. ---
**Author:** ![biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/7ab992/32.png) [@biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/biot023)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 5:56pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/is-sql-server-not-supported-in-ror-on-the-mac/187412/2 "2008-02-29T17:56:05Z")
Hi, You can’t use ADO on anything but Windows, as using ADO depends on win32ole. However, you should be able to find plenty of advice for connecting to SQL Server from OS X, Unix and Linux using ODBC. I haven’t done it myself, so I’ll leave it to you to search the group or Google or wait for replies from those with experience. Regards, Craig On Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 11:49 AM, Doug L. \< ---
**Author:** ![biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/7ab992/32.png) [@biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/biot023)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 6:05pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/is-sql-server-not-supported-in-ror-on-the-mac/187412/3 "2008-02-29T18:05:20Z")
Cheers, Craig – what I was needing there was a little hope, and you just provided it! I’ll see what crops up here, and get searching. Thanks again, Doug. ---
**Author:** ![biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/7ab992/32.png) [@biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/biot023)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 6:12pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/is-sql-server-not-supported-in-ror-on-the-mac/187412/4 "2008-02-29T18:12:10Z")
Doug L. wrote: > Cheers, Craig – what I was needing there was a little hope, and you > just provided it! I’ll see what crops up here, and get searching. > Thanks again, > Doug. I connect to SQL Server, from both a Mac, and a redhat box. Been awhile since I wrote this, but it worked for the last person who tried it. How to get Ruby on Rails (unix / mac) to work with SQL Server ``` * {*} The bulk of this page is a variation of this Wiki o http://wiki.rubyonrails.org/rails/pages/HowtoConnectToMicrosoftSQLServerFromRailsOnLinux ``` This page is getting a bit out of date. ``` * sudo gem install activerecord-sqlserver-adapter ``` –source=[http://gems.rubyonrails.org](http://gems.rubyonrails.org) Currently server27 is setup with SQL Server and Ruby on Rails Four pieces of software need to be installed (aside from Ruby and Rails) 1. Unix ODBC 2. FreeTDS 3. Ruby ODBC Driver 4. Ruby DBI Download Software ``` * Download software from above link. ``` As installed on a Mac and Redhat Enterprise Env Variables run in the console export ODBCINI=/etc/odbc.ini export ODBCSYSINI=/etc export FREETDSCONF=/etc/freetds.conf Add the following to /etc/profile ODBCINI=/etc/odbc.ini ODBCSYSINI=/etc FREETDSCONF=/etc/freetds.conf Unix ODBC ./configure --prefix=/usr/local --sysconfdir=/etc --disable-gui make make install Add the following to /etc/odbc.ini ``` * [aspect] Driver = FreeTDS Description = ODBC connection via FreeTDS Trace = No Servername = aspect Database = cnxrpt_Aspect [assurantivr] Driver = FreeTDS Description = ODBC connection via FreeTDS Trace = No Servername = assurantivr Database = AssurantIVR [aqm] Driver = FreeTDS Description = ODBC connection via FreeTDS Trace = No Servername = aqm Database = AQM ``` FreeTDS ./configure --with-unixodbc=/usr/local --sysconfdir=/etc # Mac’s and most Unix Systems ./configure --with-odbc=/usr/local/lib --sysconfdir=/etc # If RedHat make make install Add the following to /etc/freetds.conf ``` * #Assurant IVR [assurantivr] host = orcxsdb001 port = 1433 tds version = 8.0 #AQM (Aspect Managment) [aqm] host = orcxpdb0aa port = 1433 tds version = 8.0 #Aspect (Aspect Reporting Database) [aspect] host = orcxpdb1c2 instance = SQL tds version = 8.0 ``` Add the following to /etc/odbcinst.ini ``` * [FreeTDS] Description = TDS driver (Sybase/MS SQL) Driver = /usr/local/lib/libtdsodbc.so Setup = /usr/local/lib/libtdsS.so CPTimeout = CPReuse = FileUsage = 1 ``` Test 1 ``` * tsql -S aspect -U 'workgroups\dsmith' -P fakepassword -I ``` /etc/freetds.conf Test 2 ``` * isql aspect 'workgroups/dsmith' 'fakepassword' ``` Ruby ODBC Driver tar -xzf ruby-odbc-0.9995.tar.gz cd ruby-odbc-0.9995 ruby extconf.rb make make install Ruby DBI tar -xzvf dbi-0.1.1.tar.gz cd ruby-dbi ruby setup.rb config --with=dbi,dbd\_odbc ruby setup.rb setup ruby setup.rb install Test Everything ``` * irb # irb1.8 irb(main):001:0> require "dbi" => true irb(main):004:0> db = ``` DBI.connect(‘dbi:ODBC:aspect’,‘workgroups\dsmith’,‘fakepassword’) =\> #\\> irb(main):005:0\> quit Ruby can now talk to SQL Server Testing Rails ``` * rails deleteme cd deleteme ruby script/generate model Aspect ruby script/generate controller aspect index ``` vim app/models/aspect.rb ``` * class Aspect < ActiveRecord::Base set_table_name "cnxrpt_CallCenterCallDetail" self.primary_key="CallCenterCallDetail_id" self.establish_connection(:adapter => "sqlserver", :mode => "odbc", :dsn => "aspect", :username => 'workgroups\dsmith', :password => 'fakepassword') def self.names self.content_columns.collect {|x| x.name} end end ``` vim app/controllers/aspect\_controller.rb ``` * class AspectController < ApplicationController def index @data = Aspect.find(:first) end end ``` vim app/views/aspect/index.rhtml ``` *

First row

<% Aspect.names.each do |name| -%>
<%=name -%> <%=@data.send(name) -%> <% end -%>
``` ruby script/server -p 5312 -d Vist [http://server27:5312/aspect](http://server27:5312/aspect) ---
**Author:** ![biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/7ab992/32.png) [@biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/biot023)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 9:05pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/is-sql-server-not-supported-in-ror-on-the-mac/187412/5 "2008-02-29T21:05:55Z")
Hi – sorry if I’m being really dumb, but I’m rather an OSX & \*nix newbie. I’ve been following your recommendations to the letter, and have got to the Test 1 and Test 2 bit. When I run these tests, I get the following: etc 520 $ tsql -S aspect -U 'workgroups\dsmith' -P fakepassword -I /etc/freetds.conf locale is "en\_GB.UTF-8" locale charset is "UTF-8" There was a problem connecting to the server etc 521 $ isql aspect 'workgroups/dsmith' 'fakepassword' dyld: lazy symbol binding failed: Symbol not found: \_tds\_alloc\_context Referenced from: /usr/local/lib/libtdsodbc.so Expected in: flat namespace dyld: Symbol not found: \_tds\_alloc\_context Referenced from: /usr/local/lib/libtdsodbc.so Expected in: flat namespace Trace/BPT trap I’ve tried understanding this from a number of perspectives, including on my head & backwards through a mirror, but I’m afraid it’s all Dutch to me. Does that output give you any hint of what I may have done wrong? & thanks again, Doug. ---
**Author:** ![biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/7ab992/32.png) [@biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/biot023)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 6:34pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/is-sql-server-not-supported-in-ror-on-the-mac/187412/6 "2008-02-29T18:34:48Z")
Thanks massively for that! I guess I know what I’m gonna be doing for the next few days … Tearing my hair out! Cheers, & I’ll post how I get on (although don’t hold your breath!). Doug. ---
**Author:** ![biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/7ab992/32.png) [@biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/biot023)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 9:28pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/is-sql-server-not-supported-in-ror-on-the-mac/187412/7 "2008-02-29T21:28:12Z")
I will do, Brian, thankyou! If I can, I think I’ll work through your article step-by-step (monkey see, monkey do!), but that does raise one question – is it possible my earlier attempts to set this up will muck it all up? Should I worry about cleaning out what I’ve done before? Anyway, thanks again for everyone’s input, & I’ll let you know how I get on. Cheers, Doug. ---
**Author:** ![biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/7ab992/32.png) [@biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/biot023)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 9:16pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/is-sql-server-not-supported-in-ror-on-the-mac/187412/8 "2008-02-29T21:16:18Z")
I posted this about a year ago. See if that helps. [http://www.napcsweb.com/blog/2007/03/08/15/](http://www.napcsweb.com/blog/2007/03/08/15/) On Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 2:05 PM, Doug L. \< ---
**Author:** ![biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/7ab992/32.png) [@biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/biot023)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 11:17am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/is-sql-server-not-supported-in-ror-on-the-mac/187412/9 "2008-03-19T11:17:57Z")
Hi again, Brian – it’s been a while, as life got in the way again. I’m following your instruction, which is great btw – thanks for that. I just have a couple of probably really dumb questions. 1. Where, in your instruction, you have ‘MY\_SERVER\_NAME’, I’m guessing that should be swapped out for the name or IP address of the server holding SQL Server? 2. Similarly, should ‘MY\_DATABASE\_NAME’ be swapped out for the actual name of the database I’m connecting to? 3. Is ‘MY\_DSN’ meant to be swapped out for something, and if so, what would it be? &, once again, I really appreciate you writing the article & drawing my attention to it. Cheers, Doug. ---
**Author:** ![biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/7ab992/32.png) [@biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/biot023)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 9:53pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/is-sql-server-not-supported-in-ror-on-the-mac/187412/10 "2008-02-29T21:53:41Z")
Like I say – I’ll post how I do, but it’s hometime, now – it’s 9 o’clock here in the UK, and Friday night to boot! Thanks again, Doug. ---
**Author:** ![biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/7ab992/32.png) [@biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/biot023)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 11:47am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/is-sql-server-not-supported-in-ror-on-the-mac/187412/11 "2008-03-19T11:47:06Z")
It appears that there’s a problem with FreeTDS on OSX Leopard – details here: [http://article.gmane.org/gmane.comp.db.tds.freetds/8992](http://article.gmane.org/gmane.comp.db.tds.freetds/8992) I’m still on with this problem, but will post when I get it sussed. Cheers, Doug. ---
**Author:** ![biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/7ab992/32.png) [@biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/biot023)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 4:45pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/is-sql-server-not-supported-in-ror-on-the-mac/187412/12 "2008-03-19T16:45:59Z")
That makes sense, the guide I posted above has worked flawlessly 2 mac’s, and 3 unix boxes. The only system that’s a problem is a Leopard system, (not mine). I’m not to sure what to do about this though. (I’ve actually switched to using a global virtual instance, to let all of our developers work with, saves a ton of time when it comes to installing this, and a dozen other applications we use. Doug L. wrote: > It appears that there’s a problem with FreeTDS on OSX Leopard – details > here: > [http://article.gmane.org/gmane.comp.db.tds.freetds/8992](http://article.gmane.org/gmane.comp.db.tds.freetds/8992) > > I’m still on with this problem, but will post when I get it sussed. > Cheers, > Doug. ---
**Author:** ![biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/7ab992/32.png) [@biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/biot023)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2008, 11:13am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/is-sql-server-not-supported-in-ror-on-the-mac/187412/13 "2008-03-20T11:13:03Z")
I’m on to the FreeTDS maintainer, now, and he is helpfully advising me – I’ll post here to let you know how I get on. Cheers again, Doug. ---
**Author:** ![biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/7ab992/32.png) [@biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/biot023)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 10:01pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/is-sql-server-not-supported-in-ror-on-the-mac/187412/14 "2008-06-03T22:01:41Z")
Doug, did you ever get that working? I have the same error as you. I’ve gotten each step working and can connect to SQL Server through the FreeTDS client, but can’t through DBI.connect(). DBI::InterfaceError: Could not load driver (no such file to load – / Library/Ruby/Site/1.8/dbd/ODBC) from /Library/Ruby/Site/1.8/dbi.rb:368:in `load_driver' from /Library/Ruby/Site/1.8/dbi.rb:233:in `\_get\_full\_driver’ from /Library/Ruby/Site/1.8/dbi.rb:219:in `connect’ from (irb):5 On Apr 11, 5:42 am, Doug L. [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) ---
**Author:** ![biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/7ab992/32.png) [@biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/biot023)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2008, 12:42pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/is-sql-server-not-supported-in-ror-on-the-mac/187412/15 "2008-04-11T12:42:17Z")
Well that worked – unfortunately I now have a new problem! Probably due to my various efforts (including gem installing the SQL Server adapter for ActiveRecord & copying the DBD/ado.rb file over), I get FreeTDS working, but the following error output from my console in Rails when I try to count on a model called Properties: \>\> Property.count DBI::InterfaceError: Could not load driver (no such file to load -- /usr/local/lib/ruby/site\_ruby/1.8/dbd/ADO) from /usr/local/lib/ruby/site\_ruby/1.8/dbi.rb:368:in `load_driver' from /usr/local/lib/ruby/site_ruby/1.8/dbi.rb:233:in `\_get\_full\_driver' from /usr/local/lib/ruby/site\_ruby/1.8/dbi.rb:219:in `connect' from /usr/local/lib/ruby/gems/1.8/gems/activerecord-sqlserver-adapter-1.0.0/lib/active_record/connection_adapters/sqlserver_adapter.rb:46:in `sqlserver\_connection' from /usr/local/lib/ruby/gems/1.8/gems/activerecord-2.0.2/lib/active\_record/connection\_adapters/abstract/connection\_specification.rb:291:in `send' from /usr/local/lib/ruby/gems/1.8/gems/activerecord-2.0.2/lib/active_record/connection_adapters/abstract/connection_specification.rb:291:in `connection=' from /usr/local/lib/ruby/gems/1.8/gems/activerecord-2.0.2/lib/active\_record/connection\_adapters/abstract/connection\_specification.rb:259:in `retrieve_connection' from /usr/local/lib/ruby/gems/1.8/gems/activerecord-2.0.2/lib/active_record/connection_adapters/abstract/connection_specification.rb:78:in `connection' from /usr/local/lib/ruby/gems/1.8/gems/activerecord-2.0.2/lib/active\_record/base.rb:1080:in `columns' from /usr/local/lib/ruby/gems/1.8/gems/activerecord-2.0.2/lib/active_record/calculations.rb:254:in `column\_for' from /usr/local/lib/ruby/gems/1.8/gems/activerecord-2.0.2/lib/active\_record/calculations.rb:118:in `calculate' from /usr/local/lib/ruby/gems/1.8/gems/activerecord-2.0.2/lib/active_record/calculations.rb:46:in `count' from (irb):2 Can anyone maybe offer any advice from that? I’m stumped! Cheers, Doug. ---
**Author:** ![biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/7ab992/32.png) [@biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/biot023)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2008, 9:12am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/is-sql-server-not-supported-in-ror-on-the-mac/187412/16 "2008-06-04T09:12:42Z")
Andy wrote: > Doug, did you ever get that working? I have the same error as you. > I’ve gotten each step working and can connect to SQL Server through > the FreeTDS client, but can’t through DBI.connect(). > > DBI::InterfaceError: Could not load driver (no such file to load – / > Library/Ruby/Site/1.8/dbd/ODBC) > from /Library/Ruby/Site/1.8/dbi.rb:368:in `load_driver' from /Library/Ruby/Site/1.8/dbi.rb:233:in `\_get\_full\_driver’ > from /Library/Ruby/Site/1.8/dbi.rb:219:in `connect’ > from (irb):5 > > On Apr 11, 5:42�am, Doug L. [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) You should have pathto/dbd/ODBC directory and odbc.rb file in it. I dont’t quite remember where I got it but I think you specify which drivers to install when you install dbi package. You may also look into dbi package and search for odbc.rb file end extract it manualy into pathto/dbd/ODBC directory. by TheR ---
**Author:** ![biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/7ab992/32.png) [@biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/biot023)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2008, 2:24pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/is-sql-server-not-supported-in-ror-on-the-mac/187412/17 "2008-06-04T14:24:53Z")
Hi! Sorry, I didn’t get it sorted at all – I ran past my level of expertise! I’m sort of hoping that the next Ruby or Rails update will give me the blank slate I need to get it working, and in the meantime I’m employing horrible kludges you don’t even want to hear about! Sorry I’m not more help, Doug. ---
**Author:** ![biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/7ab992/32.png) [@biot023](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/biot023)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2008, 8:09pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/is-sql-server-not-supported-in-ror-on-the-mac/187412/18 "2008-06-04T20:09:23Z")
I ended up getting ActiveRecord on OS X talking to SQL Server after lots of work and trial and error. Here were a couple of my resources in addition to the Rails wiki pages. [http://toolmantim.com/article/2007/5/7/getting\_rails\_talking\_to\_sqlserver\_on\_osx\_via\_odbc](http://toolmantim.com/article/2007/5/7/getting_rails_talking_to_sqlserver_on_osx_via_odbc) > **[How to Connect Ruby to SQL Server from Linux and Unix](https://www.easysoft.com/developer/languages/ruby/rails.html)** > > With no previous Rails experience, we created a functional Rails application, using Linux as our Rails platform and SQL Server as our database backend, by running a few commands and editing a configuration file. The second is a commercial ODBC package priced per machine at 500 pounds as of this writing. I’m able to connect without that using iODBC and FreeTDS. Note that I also found the activerecord-sqlserver-adapter is no longer on [gems.rubyonrails.com](http://gems.rubyonrails.com) and as of Rails 2 is no longer included with the activerecord gem. So I found it on github and cloned that done, prepared the .gem file and installed it that way. I didn’t find instructions for that, so I’m assuming it was just because it had recently been moved to GitHub following Rails. AndyAtkinson On Jun 4, 7:24 am, Doug L. [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid)