JDBC Overview
- JDBC is a Technology, which can be used to communicate with Database from Java Application.
- JDBC is the Part of Java Standard Edition (J2SE|JSE)
- JDBC is a Specification defined by Java Vendor (Sun Micro Systems) and implemented by Database Vendors.
- Database Vendor provided Implementation is called “Driver Software”.
JDBC Features
- JDBC API is Standard API. We can communicate with any Database without rewriting our Application i.e. it is Database Independent API.
- JDBC Drivers are developed in Java and hence JDBC Concept is applicable for any Platform. i.e. JDBC Is Platform Independent Technology.
- By using JDBC API, we can perform basic CRUD Operations very easily.
C âž” Create (Insert) R âž” Retrieve (Select) U âž” Update (Update) D âž” Delete (Delete)
- We can also perform Complex Operations (like Inner Joins, Outer Joins, calling Stored Procedures etc) very easily by using JDBC API.
- JDBC API supported by Large Number of Vendors and they developed multiple Products based on JDBC API. List of supported Vendors we can check in the link
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/index-136695.html
JDBC Versions
- JDBC 3.0 is Part J2SE 1.4
- No Update in Java SE 5.0
- JDBC 4.0 is Part Java SE 6.0
- JDBC 4.1 is Part Java SE 7.0
- JDBC 4.2 is Part Java SE 8.0
Evolution of JDBC
- If we want to communicate with Database by using C OR C++, compulsory we have to use database specific Libraries in our Application directly.
- In the above Diagram C OR C++ Application uses Oracle specific Libraries directly.
- The Problem in this Approach is, if we want to migrate Database to another Database then we have to rewrite Total Application once again by using new Database specific Libraries.
- The Application will become Database Dependent and creates Maintenance Problems.
- To overcome this Problem, Microsoft People introduced “ODBC” Concept in 1992. It is Database Independent API.
- With ODBC API, Application can communicate with any Database just by selecting corresponding ODBC Driver.
- We are not required to use any Database specific Libraries in our Application. Hence our Application will become Database Independent.
Limitations of ODBC
- ODBC Concept will work only for Windows Machines. It is Platform Dependent Technology.
- ODBC Drivers are implemented in C Language. If we use ODBC for Java Applications, then Performance will be down because of internal conversions from Java to C and C to Java.
Because of above Reasons, ODBC Concept is not suitable for Java Applications.
Note
- For Java Applications, SUN People introduced JDBC Concept.
- JDBC Concept Applicable for any Platform. It is Platform Independent Technology.
- JDBC Drivers are implemented in Java. If we use JDBC for Java Applications, then internal Conversions are not required and hence there is no Effect on Performance.
- ODBC Concept is applicable for any Database and for any Language, but only for Windows Platform.
- JDBC Concept is Applicable for any Platform and for any Database, but only for Java Language.
Differences Between JDBC and ODBC
JDBC Overview