ODBC stands for Open Database Connectivity, which is a standard application programming interface (API) for accessing database management systems (DBMS) . It allows applications to access data in DBMS using SQL as a standard for accessing the data. ODBC drivers are software components that interface between an application and a specific DBMS. They encapsulate the logic needed to convert a standard set of commands and functions into the specific calls required by the underlying system.

ODBC drivers enable an ODBC-compliant application to use a data source, normally a DBMS. They allow an application to gain access to one or more data sources. Some non-DBMS drivers exist, for such data sources as CSV files, by implementing a small DBMS inside the driver itself. ODBC drivers exist for most DBMSs, including Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Sybase ASE, SAP HANA, and IBM Db2.

ODBC provides maximum interoperability, which means a single application can access different DBMS. Application end-users can then add ODBC database drivers to link the application to their choice of DBMS. ODBC drivers are dynamic-link libraries on Windows and shared objects on Linux/UNIX.

In summary, ODBC drivers are software components that allow applications to access data in DBMS using SQL as a standard for accessing the data. They interface between an application and a specific DBMS, encapsulating the logic needed to convert a standard set of commands and functions into the specific calls required by the underlying system. ODBC drivers enable an ODBC-compliant application to use a data source, normally a DBMS, and allow maximum interoperability.