AB#37476
This pull request focuses on improving type safety, enhancing error handling, and adding utility functions in the mssql_python/pybind module. The changes primarily involve the use of explicit type casting, the introduction of a WideToUTF8 utility function for string conversion, and minor fixes to improve code clarity and correctness.

Type Safety Improvements:

• Updated std::make_shared<SqlHandle> calls across multiple functions in connection.cpp to use static_cast<SQLSMALLINT> for handle types (SQL_HANDLE_ENV, SQL_HANDLE_DBC, SQL_HANDLE_STMT) to ensure explicit type casting. [1] [2] [3]
• Added explicit type casting for SQL date, time, and timestamp fields in BindParameters to use SQLSMALLINT or SQLUSMALLINT instead of int. [1] [2] [3]
• Updated various SQLSetStmtAttr_ptr and SQLSetConnectAttr_ptr calls to use reinterpret_cast or static_cast for pointer conversions, ensuring type correctness. [1] [2] [3]

Error Handling Enhancements:

• Replaced manual wide-to-narrow string conversion in LoadDriverOrThrowException with the new WideToUTF8 utility function for better readability and consistency.
• Introduced the WideToUTF8 function in ddbc_bindings.cpp and declared it in ddbc_bindings.h to handle std::wstring to std::string conversions. [1] [2]
• Enhanced error message handling in Connection::checkError by using WideToUTF8 for converting wide error messages to UTF-8.

Code Fixes and Cleanup:

• Fixed a typo in std::memset in BindParameters to correct the namespace usage.
• Corrected redundant semicolon in SQLGetData_wrap initialization.
• Improved comparison logic in SQLGetData_wrap and FetchBatchData to use static_cast<size_t> for comparing dataLen with columnSize. [1] [2]

These changes collectively enhance the robustness, maintainability, and readability of the code.

Checklist

• Tests Passed (if applicable) : All pytests passed.