Sun Microsystems JDBC/ODBC Adapter manual About Java Database Connectivity Jdbc, Jdbc Drivers

Chapter 1

Introducing the JDBC/ODBC eWay

Welcome to the Sun SeeBeyond eWay™ JDBC/ODBC Adapter User’s Guide. This document includes information about installing, configuring, and using the Sun Java Composite Application Platform Suite JDBC/ODBC eWay™ Adapter, referred to as the JDBC eWay throughout this guide.

This chapter provides an overview of database connectivity (JDBC) and open database connectivity (ODBC) APIs. This chapter also introduces the JDBC/ODBC eWay.

What’s In This Chapter

ƒAbout Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) on page 7

ƒAbout the JDBC/ODBC eWay on page 13

ƒWhat’s New in This Release on page 13

ƒAbout This Document on page 14

ƒRelated Documents on page 15

ƒSun Microsystems, Inc. Web Site on page 15

ƒDocumentation Feedback on page 15

1.1About Java Database Connectivity (JDBC)

Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) is an implementation of the Java programming language that dictates how databases communicate with each other. Through a standardized application programming interface (API), connectivity from database management systems (DBMS) to a wide range of SQL databases is accomplished. By deploying database drivers laced with JDBC technology, it is possible to connect to any database -- even in a heterogeneous environment -- and access tables, tabular data, flat files and more. When using JDBC, Java programmers have the ability to request connections to a database, send queries to the database using SQL statements, and receive results for advanced processing.

1.1.1JDBC Drivers

To connect with individual databases, JDBC requires drivers for each database. Those drivers come in four varieties. Driver types 1 and 2 are typically intended for programmers that write applications. Driver types 3 and 4 are typically used by

JDBC/ODBC eWay Adapter User’s Guide 7 Sun Microsystems, Inc.