.NET and Lotus Notes Interop

Question

I've Lotus Notes database file (.nsf) at some location, let's say: http://intranet.mycompany.com/somewhere/data.nsf

Is it possible in any way to read from that location using any .NET language?

Answer 1

Take a look at these resources:

• http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/lotus/library/domino-msnet/index.html
• http://www.codeproject.com/KB/cs/lotusnoteintegrator.aspx
• http://www.builderau.com.au/architect/database/soa/Create-an-ODBC-connection-to-a-Lotus-Notes-database/0,339024547,320282240,00.htm

Answer 2

1. You can use the ReadViewEntries URL option and that returns data as XML --> http://www-12.lotus.com/ldd/doc/domino_notes/7.0/help7_designer.nsf/855dc7fcfd5fec9a85256b870069c0ab/63d772b44948d4848525704a003f6544?OpenDocument&Highlight=0,readviewentries

2. You can use the COM classes to access the database. Actually the first link that @Konamiman posted covers both solutions --> http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/lotus/library/domino-msnet/index.html

Answer 3

My humble opinion for those who face such a task would be not to bother with direct access to LN data (at least i haven't heard of any decent C# dev for Lotus Notes), but consider the following:

1) dump LN data into a relational database (IBM DB2, MS SQL Server etc.) with the help of LEI (Lotus Enterprise Integeration) or a custom tool, where you can use it any way you want, say in ORM for ASP.NET, even bi-directional. This makes sense when you migrate or have a schedule for data exchange.

2) for lesser amount of data with sporadic access i'd develop a WebService or some in the Lotus Notes database.