BI tools connect to the SAP HANA database using which of these?

BI tools primarily connect to the SAP HANA database using ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) because it provides a standardized way to access database management systems. ODBC is widely adopted due to its ease of use and its ability to work across different programming languages and applications, making it a suitable choice for Business Intelligence tools that need to interact with HANA for querying and analysis.

Additionally, ODBC supports the specific functionalities and optimizations required for SAP HANA, allowing for efficient retrieval of data. This connectivity method enables users to leverage the powerful analytic capabilities of HANA in a familiar environment, facilitating seamless integration of data access in BI applications.

While other options like JDBC (Java Database Connectivity) also provide a means to connect to databases, they are more language-specific, with JDBC being tailored for Java applications. TRFC (Transactional Remote Function Call) and ODBO (OLE DB for OLAP) are also specific protocols for different scenarios and typically do not serve as the primary connection method for BI tools in the context of SAP HANA.