What Is JDBC?

Java database connectivity (JDBC) is the JavaSoft specification of a standard application programming interface (API) that allows Java programs to access database management systems. The JDBC API consists of a set of interfaces and classes written in the Java programming language.

Using these standard interfaces and classes, programmers can write applications that connect to databases, send queries written in structured query language (SQL), and process the results.

The JDBC API is consistent with the style of the core Java interfaces and classes, such as java.lang and java.awt. The following table describes the interfaces, classes, and exceptions that make up the JDBC API.


Interface, Class, or Exception	Description
java.sql.CallableStatement	Interface used to execute stored procedures.
java.sql.Connection	Interface used to establish a connection to a database. SQL statements run within the context of a connection.
java.sql.DatabaseMetaData	Interface used to return information about the database.
java.sql.Driver	Interface used to locate the driver for a particular database management system.
java.sql.PreparedStatement	Interface used to send precompiled SQL statements to the database server and obtain results.
java.sql.ResultSet	Interface used to process the results returned from executing an SQL statement.
java.sql.ResultSetMetaData	Interface used to return information about the columns in a ResultSet object.
java.sql.Statement	Interface used to send static SQL statements to the database server and obtain results.
java.sql.Date	Subclass of java.util.Date used for the SQL DATE data type.
java.sql.DriverManager	Class used to manage a set of JDBC drivers.
java.sql.DriverPropertyInfo	Class used to discover and supply properties to a connection.
java.sql.Time	Subclass of java.util.Date used for the SQL TIME data type.
java.sql.TimeStamp	Subclass of java.util.Date used for the SQL TIMESTAMP data type.
java.sql.Types	Class used to define constants that are used to identify standard SQL data types, such as VARCHAR, INTEGER, and DECIMAL.
java.sql.Array	Class used to identify `set`, `multiset`, and `list` data types. These types can also be identified as collections.
java.sql.Blob	Class used to identify `BLOB` data types.
java.sql.Clob	Class used to identify `CLOB` data types.
java.sql.String	Class used to identify long text data types such as `LVARCHAR`.
java.sql.Struct	Class used to identify named and unnamed row data types.
java.sql.DataTruncation	Exception thrown or warning reported when data has been truncated.
java.sql.SQLData	Class used to support opaque types, distinct types, and named and unnamed row data types.
java.sql.SQLInput	Class used to support retrieval of opaque types and named and unnamed row data types.
java.sql.SQLOutput	Class used to support writing of opaque types and named and unnamed row data types.
java.sql.SQLException	Exception that provides information about a database error.
java.sql.SQLWarning	Warning that provides information about a database warning.

Since JDBC is a standard specification, one Java program that uses the JDBC API can connect to any database management system (DBMS), as long as a driver exists for that particular DBMS.

Informix JDBC Driver Programmer's GuideGetting Started

What Is JDBC?

Informix JDBC Driver Programmer's Guide
Getting Started