Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) has long provided a valuable API for connectivity between the Java programming language and a wide range of databases. It provides a call-level API for SQL-based database access. As of October 2007, there were 221 drivers for different databases. The latest version: JDBC 4.0 API.

By George Lawton
Many consider Java Database Connectivity (JDBC ) as the first step in basic interop. The three main functions of the JDBC API are: 1) to create a connection with a database or access a tabular data source; 2) to send SQL statements; and 3) to process the results for use in the application.

There are two major sets of interfaces for application writers and for lower level JDBC drivers. Applications and applets can access databases: 1) directly using database drivers; 2) database middleware drivers, which then access the database; 3) ODBC bridge drivers, which talk to ODBC middleware; and 4) via partial Java JDBC drivers. The last two architectures require that some additional code be installed on each client.

Learning/Tutorial/Overview/Background

Overview of the JDBC Driver (Microsoft)

Provides a general overview of the JDBC driver, including the system requirements needed to use it, how it can be used, and where you can go for more information.

JDBC Overview (Sun)

Introduces the architecture and use of JDBC. This site provides background on the architecture, advantages and key features of JDBC.

JDBC Database Tutorials (Sun)

Teaches the basics of JDBC programming with an introduction and basics tutorials. By the end of this lesson, programmers will know how to use the basic JDBC API to create tables, insert values, query tables, retrieve the results of queries, and update tables. They will also learn how to perform transactions and how to catch exceptions and warnings.

JDBC Download Site (Sun)

This is the official site for downloading JDBC source files and documentation.

An Introductions to JDBC, Part 1 (OnJava)

Provides an introduction by William Crawford to getting started with JDBC.

Duke’s Bakery Part II (Java Developers Connection)

Provides an introduction to creating an order entry application that connects to a Microsoft Access Database.

What’s New in JDBC 3.0? (IBM developerWorks,)

Introduces some of the new features in JDBC 3.0 such as metadata, named parameters in callable statements, retrieving auto-generated keys, and connection pooling.

Getting Up-To-Date with JDBC API

A brief overview on some of the different features in JDBC written by Jeff Brown is a Senior Software Engineer, Object Computing, Inc. (OCI)

JDBC Tutorial (VisualBuilder)

Explains JDBC and defines how a java program can communicate with a database. Discusses the basic java.sql and javax.sql packages.

Stanford JDBC Tutorial (Stanford University)

Describes the basics of using the JDBC API to create tables, insert values, query tables, retrieve results, update tables, create prepared statements, perform transactions and catch exceptions and errors.

Tips

How to get started with Microsoft JDBC (Microsoft)

Describes how to connect to SQL Server by using the Microsoft SQL Server 2000 driver for JDBC.

Creating JDBC Connection Pool programmatically for glassfish (TheServerside.com)

Various tips on how to create a JDBC connection pool programmatically.

JDBC FAQ Home Page (jGuru)

Provides tips on a number of issues that can come up with JDBC programming such as getting pooled connections, checking if a connection is still valid, finding the cause of an SQL exception, and setting up a driver to be automatically loaded in Java 6.

Get Disconnected with CachedRowSet (JavaWorld)

Gives tips on how to write applications that are sporadically connected or to reduce network traffic for database queries. Explains how to cache database updates locally using CachedRowSet.

JDBC Code Examples (DataDirect)

Provides examples of writing JDBC code for SQL Server, Oracle, and DB2 Databases.

JDBC Control Developers Guide (Apache Software Foundation)

Explains how to perform a number of basic operations using JDBC such as how to call and create stored functions return multiple rows from a JDBC control method, and create a customer result set mapper.

Database Programming with JDBC and Java (oreilly.com)

Explains the basics of JDBC and provides tips on using the tool in a variety of different environments and applications. A crippled version available for free, or the full electronic or paper version can be ordered online.

Using the Microsoft JDBC Driver Proxy (SourceForge)

Describes how to proxy the Microsoft JDBC driver to run faster and better.

Configuring the Microsoft SQL Server 2000 JDBC database driver in ColdFusion MX (Adobe)

Explains the steps for setting up a SQL Server database to work with ColdFusion MX.

How to use the EasySoft JDBC/ODBC Bridge (EasySoft)

The EasySoft JDBC-ODBC Bridge (JOB) provides zero installation JDBC access from any Java platform to remote ODBC data sources on Windows, Linux and Unix platforms. Unlike the Sun Microsystems Bridge, JOB is a Type 3, client/server solution, allowing Java applications and ODBC drivers to be on separate machines.

What is the data access implication of Service-Oriented Architectures? (SearchSOA.com)

Ryan Ireland describes the implications of JDBC and ODBC access on SOAs.

News

The SQL Server Team has released a new JDBC Driver for SQL Server (ServerSide.com)

Describes the general availability of the SQL Server 2005 JDBC v1.2 driver.

Microsoft JDBC Driver Team Blog (Microsoft)

Provides updates on Microsoft’s JDBC connectivity efforts. Discusses the latest driver update, which significantly reduced the driver’s memory footprint usage especially when handling large clobs and blobs on multiple active connections and introduced SQL Server SSL encryption support.

Microsoft Releases New JDBC Driver for SQL Server (Artima)

Provides an overview of the new update Microsoft released to its freely distributable JDBC driver for the SQLServer database engine. The new driver includes a re-architected communication stack aimed to significantly boost performance for enterprise Java applications.

Just Say No to Proprietary APIs (VNUNET.com)

Terence Cooke, vice president of international sales at DataDirect Technologies discusses some of the issues associated with moving away from proprietary APIs towards industry standard database APIs like JDBC.

This entry was posted on Saturday, October 27th, 2007 at 10:53 pm and is filed under Interoperability, Data issues. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.