---
title: "Consistency Check | Microsoft Docs"
ms.custom: ""
ms.date: "01/19/2017"
ms.prod: sql
ms.prod_service: connectivity
ms.reviewer: ""
ms.technology: connectivity
ms.topic: conceptual
helpviewer_keywords: 
  - "descriptors [ODBC], consistency checks"
  - "consistency checks [ODBC]"
ms.assetid: deb80efa-ad1f-4ea5-b334-9817cd279e5c
author: David-Engel
ms.author: v-daenge
---
# Consistency Check
A consistency check is performed by the driver automatically whenever an application sets the SQL_DESC_DATA_PTR field of the APD, ARD, or IPD. Whenever this field is set, the driver checks that the value of the SQL_DESC_TYPE field and the values applicable to the SQL_DESC_TYPE field in the same record are valid and consistent.  
  
 The SQL_DESC_DATA_PTR field of an IPD is not normally set; however, an application can do so to force a consistency check of IPD fields. The value that the SQL_DESC_DATA_PTR field of the IPD is set to is not actually stored and cannot be retrieved by a call to **SQLGetDescField** or **SQLGetDescRec**; the setting is made only to force the consistency check. A consistency check cannot be performed on an IRD.  
  
 For more information on the consistency check, see [SQLSetDescRec](../../../odbc/reference/syntax/sqlsetdescrec-function.md).