How can I use a dash to correctly connect two and thoughts in a sentence? Is the following sentence correct with the dash in from or should I remove it?
An S database allows access from – and can be opened by multiple applications at the same time.
I am not familiar with the English grammar jargon and don't know how to properly call what I am attempting to do with that dash.
Although I still want to learn about the dash, would the following alternative sentence be correct?
An S database allows access from, and can be opened by, multiple applications at the same time.
Answer
Your second example is the correct way to express the concepts in your sentences using commas.
The use of dashes would not be appropriate in these circumstances. You mention joining and thoughts. The connection of equally weighted concepts is not usually joined with dashes, and if punctuation is needed, it is usually commas or semicolons.
Dashes are usually used within a sentence to indicate a side thought, often called a parenthetical phrase, because it could also be put inside of parentheses. An example would be
An S database - the most versatile of storage systems - allows access from,and can be opened by, multiple applications at the same time.
The commas are needed in your sentence because the verb phrases allows access from and can be opened by use different prepositions. If there were no prepositions, you could use and without the commas, such as
An S database can access and open multiple applications at the same time
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