JDBC a Brief Introduction

JDBC (Java database connectivity) is an API for database access from within a Java program. You can use JDBC to access any database that supports the API by providing a JDBC driver.

JDBC is similar to ODBC in the sense that it is database independent.

For more information on JDBC Check out the Sun JDBC Product page.

There are two most commonly used versions of JDBC API. The JDBC 1.2 API and the more recently released JDBC 2.0 API. There are some distinct advantages of using JDBC 2.0. We will cover that a little later. First let's see how to write a simple program using the common features of JDBC APIs

To use the JDBC API to access any database you need a JDBC driver. These drivers are either written purely in Java, or use the Java Native Interface. Here is the list of different drivers available.

For our example we will use the JDBC-ODBC bridge available from SUN. (Please Refer to Appendix A for more instructions on installing an Oracle JDBC driver). If you have JDK1.2, you probably have the JDBC-ODBC bridge with you!

If you are using any other JDBC driver, please follow your driver vendor's instructions to install the driver.

If you want to use the JDBC - ODBC bridge, all you need to do is to create an ODBC driver to connect to your database.

NOTE: We will assume that you have the following set up.

1. A database with a sample table named USERTABLE with the following fields USERID char(5) and PASSWORD char(5). An example of a create statement is:

   CREATE TABLE USERTABLE 
   	(
   	USERID   CHAR(5),
    	PASSWORD CHAR(5)
   	);
   

   You can insert a record in this table with

   Insert into USERTABLE (USERID , PASSWORD)
   	    Values('guest', 'guest');
   

2. An ODBC driver to connect to this database.

We will assume the DSN (data source) name as myDriver

Warning The execution of the sample code will depend on the driver and the driver set up. It is important that you understand how to install a database driver (JDBC and / or ODBC) and how to connect to your database using this driver.

Please Refer to Appendix A for more instructions on installing the JDBC and ODBC drivers.

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