Java JDBC Driver

JDBC Driver is a software component that is used to interact with the java application with the database. The purpose of  JDBC driver is to convert java calls into database-specific calls and database specific calls into java calls.

  Types of JDBC Drivers:

1. JDBC-ODBC bridge driver.
2. Native API driver
3. Network protocol driver.
4. Pure java driver.

Here you can download JDBC drivers Click here to download

1) JDBC-ODBC bridge Driver :

• This driver is also known as Type-1 Driver. Internally this Driver will take the support of ODBC Driver to communicate with the database.Type-1 Driver convert JDBC calls into ODBC calls and ODBC Driver convert ODBC calls into database-specific calls.

• Using Type-1 Driver for prototyping only and not for production purposes.

• This driver can be provided by Sun Microsystem as a part of JDK.

Type-1 Driver

Advantages :

• Type-1 Driver is database independent driver.

• it is very easy to use.

• Not require to install this driver separately(By default in windows)

Disadvantages :

• It is the slowest driver.

• Type-1 driver internally depends upon ODBC driver so ODBC driver concept application only on window machine i.e. platform dependent driver.

2) Native API Driver :

• Native API driver converts JDBC calls into database-specific native libraries calls and these calls are directly understood by the database engine.

• Large database vendors, such as Oracle and IBM, use the Type-2 driver for their enterprise databases.

• Type-2 Drivers aren't architecturally compatible.

• Type-2 Drivers force developers to write platform-specific code.

  

Type-2 Driver

Advantages :

• Good performance as compared to the type-1 driver.

• No ODBC Driver require.

• Type-2 Drivers are operating system specific and compiled.

Disadvantages :

• It is a database dependent driver. 

• It is a platform-dependent driver.

• Only Oracle provides type-2 Driver

3) Network protocol driver:

• For database middle-ware, Type-3 JDBC drivers are pure Java drivers.

• java application communicates with Network Protocol driver. Network protocol driver converts JDBC calls into middle-wear specific calls, the middle-wear server communicates with database, middle-wear server convert middle-wear specific calls into database-specific calls.

Type-3 Driver

Advantages :

• This driver does not directly communicate with the database. So it is database independent driver. For any database, this driver is the same.

• It is fully written in Java. So it is platform independent driver.

• No client-side libraries are required.

Disadvantages:

• Network support is required on the client machine.

• When we change the database, we need to change the middle-wear code.

• Maintenance of Network Protocol driver becomes costly.

4) Pure Java Driver:

• It is also known as the Thin driver. The thin driver converts JDBC calls into database-specific calls directly.

• Thin driver directly communicates with the database by using database specific native protocol provided by the database vendor.

• It is a platform, independent Driver.

Type-4 Driver

Advantage:

• Better performance than all other drivers.

• Platform independent Driver.

• No software is required at the client side or server side.

Disadvantages:

• Database dependent driver, because it is directly communicating with the database direct.

Which JDBC Drivers should be used :

In our application, if you are using only one type of database may be an oracle,

MySQL then we should go for the type-1 driver.

Example:Standalone application,Small scale web application.

In our application, if you are using multiple databases highly recommended, you should go for the type-3 driver. Because the type-3 driver is database independent driver.

Example: large scale web application,Enterprise application.

To connect to multiple databases, developers can use type-2 Driver.

if no driver is available then we should go for type-4 driver

Differentiate between Thick and Thin Driver:

Thick Driver:  

if the database driver requires some extra component to communicate with database such type of driver is called the Thick driver.

Example: Type-1,Type-2,Type-3 Driver.

Thin Driver:

if the database driver does not require some extra component to communicate with database such type of driver is called the Thin driver.

Example: Type-4 Driver.

Comparison of all types of JDBC Drivers:

Difference between all types of JDBC Drivers

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