Firebird DBMS and VB 6

Can anybody show me an example on how to connect a VB application to a Firebird database?

I assume you might want to download the corresponding ODBC driver:

http://www.google.be/search?hl=nl&q=firebird+ODBC+drivers&meta=

and proceed this way:
http://www.able-consulting.com./MDAC/ADO/Connection/ODBC_DSN.htm

Regards,
Shurik.

is an ODBC driver really required?

This is the only way I'm aware about (although can't exclude there're other approaches)

thanks for the informaton..., any other information is greatly appreciated

Check Firebird's website for an OLEDB provider for ADO maybe? You can only use the providers that the DB maker supplies if it is not already a part of ADO.