Why is there a necessity to have a different app - Splunk DB-Connect?

[sarnagar]

Hi All,
Im very new to DB Connect for splunk app. Please help me understand the below. Appreciate your help on this.

When we run a query from splunk does that mean the splunk query gets converted to SQL query? Im not using a SQL query on splunk in this case.

Also what is the necessity for a separate app to connect to DB? Why can we have something like forwarders installed on these DB servers?

[woodcock]

Yes, you pass your SQL to the app and the app calls it through the DB driver. You can do your own thing with a scripted/external lookup (we have done this before) if you like. You could even write your own scripted input on the forwarder if you'd like to.