Java DB at a Glance

» now in JDK 6!

Java DB is ideal for:
Departmental Java client-server applications that need up to 24 x 7 support and the sophistication of a standards-based, transactional SQL database that protects against data corruption or systems crashes without also requiring a database administrator.

Java application development and testing because it's full-featured though extremely easy-to-use, can fit on a laptop or run on a mainframe, and it's available at no cost under the Apache license.

Embedding in applications so that there is no need for the developer or the end-user to buy / download, install, administer — or even be aware of — the database separately from the application or IDE.

Multi-platform use due to Java portability. And, because Java DB is fully standards-compliant and 100% Java, it is easy to migrate an application using Java DB to other open standard databases.

Use within browser-based, Web (2.0) applications for easy distribution, one-click install, secure local data storage, and data persistence if the Internet connection is lost or for use off-line.

Applications running in a J2ME CDC (e.g., PDA) environment that need a small size (2MB) without sacrificing functionality: full SQL support, transaction management, stored procedures, triggers, concurrency, and backups.

"If Derby were the only product to come out of the open source arena, I think I'd be happy with that!" says Stephen Morris, CTO of Omey Communications in Ireland.

"Database technology has traditionally occupied an exalted and expensive position in the world of software. The advent of Derby ends this dominance and opens up the database field to us all. Sun Microsystems has already released its own distribution of Derby called JavaDB. So, you're likely to be hearing more about Derby as time goes on."

What Is Derby?
"Derby is an open source, fully functional relational database management system. It supports many of the features found only in high-end, commercial database engines, such as transactions. Derby itself is written in Java, so it is amenable to the needs of Java programmers. Another important Derby attribute is its really light footprint (about 2MB RAM) that obviates the need for very powerful host machines."

Read Getting Started with Derby by Stephen Morris, and his other articles on Derby.

Where is Java DB in Sun Products?
Java DB is currently included with the Java SE Development Kit; Java Enterprise System as the Application Server's developer database, and the Portal Server and Service Registry's data stores; it is supported by NetBeans 5.0, Java Studio Enterprise and Java Studio Creator; and, it is included as the out-of-the-box development database in the Sun Java Application Server PE 8.2 and the open community Glassfish implementation.