JDBC Driver Types

Key Points

• Research suggests there are four basic JDBC driver types, but Type 1 is deprecated in Java SE 17 and higher.
• It seems likely that Type 2 drivers use client-side libraries for database connections.
• The evidence leans toward Type 3 drivers using middleware for database communication.
• Type 4 drivers, likely the most common, directly connect to databases in pure Java.

Overview
JDBC (Java Database Connectivity) drivers help Java applications interact with databases. In Java SE 17 and higher, there are traditionally four types, but their usage has evolved. Here's a breakdown for clarity.

• Type 1: JDBC-ODBC Bridge Driver
  This driver, once used to translate JDBC calls to ODBC, is no longer supported in Java SE 17 and higher, as it was removed in JDBC 4.2. It's not recommended for modern use.
• Type 2: Native-API Partly Java Driver
  This driver uses client-side database libraries, converting JDBC calls to the database's native API. It's suitable when other types aren't available, offering better performance but requiring vendor-specific setups.
• Type 3: Network Protocol Fully Java Driver
  A pure Java driver, it communicates via middleware, which then talks to the database. It's ideal for accessing multiple databases, supporting features like load balancing.
• Type 4: Native-Protocol Fully Java Driver
  The most common type, it directly connects to the database using its native protocol, all in pure Java. It's preferred for its portability and ease of use in modern applications.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of JDBC Drivers in Java SE 17 and Higher
This section provides a comprehensive examination of the four basic JDBC (Java Database Connectivity) drivers, focusing on their purposes and relevance in Java SE 17 and higher. The analysis is grounded in multiple authoritative sources, ensuring a thorough understanding for developers and technical readers. Background on JDBC and Drivers JDBC is an API that enables Java applications to interact with databases, forming a critical component of the Java Standard Edition platform. Drivers are software components that implement this API, facilitating communication between Java applications and specific databases. The classification of JDBC drivers into four types is a historical and conceptual framework, but their practical usage has evolved, especially with updates in Java SE 17 and higher, which includes JDBC 4.3. Historical Context and Classification Traditionally, JDBC drivers are categorized into four types based on their architecture and implementation:

• Type 1: JDBC-ODBC Bridge Driver
• Type 2: Native-API Partly Java Driver
• Type 2: Native-API Partly Java Driver
• Type 3: Network Protocol Fully Java Driver
• Type 4: Native-Protocol Fully Java Driver

This classification, while still referenced in educational and technical resources, has seen changes, particularly with the deprecation of Type 1 drivers in modern Java versions.
Detailed Purposes and Characteristics
Below is a detailed breakdown of each driver type, including their purposes, advantages, disadvantages, and relevance in Java SE 17 and higher, presented in a table for clarity:

Type	Name	Purpose	Advantages	Disadvantages	Relevance in Java SE 17 and Higher
1	JDBC-ODBC Bridge Driver	Uses ODBC driver to connect, translating JDBC calls to ODBC calls.	Built-in with older JDKs, database independent.	Data transfer not secure, requires ODBC bridge, not portable (not pure Java).	Deprecated and removed in JDBC 4.2; not supported in Java SE 17 and higher.
2	Native-API Partly Java Driver	Uses client-side database libraries, converting JDBC calls to native API calls.	Better performance than Type 1, more secure.	Requires separate installation, vendor library needed, not fully portable, database dependent.	Still in use but less common; suitable when Type 3 or 4 not available.
3	Network Protocol Fully Java Driver	Pure Java driver communicating via middleware, which then talks to the database.	Fully Java (portable), no client library, supports auditing, load balancing, switch databases.	Requires network support, costly maintenance due to database-specific middleware coding.	Relevant for accessing multiple databases, less common but still used.
4	Native-Protocol Fully Java Driver	Pure Java driver directly interacting with database using native protocol, no middleware.	No client/server install, fully Java (portable), easy to deploy.	New driver may be needed if database changes.	Most common and recommended; preferred for modern applications due to portability and ease of use.

This table, derived from sources like GeeksforGeeks - JDBC Drivers and TheServerSide - JDBC Driver Types Explained, highlights the evolution and current state of these drivers.

Evolution in Java SE 17 and Higher

• Type 1 Driver Deprecation: The JDBC-ODBC bridge (Type 1) was removed in JDBC 4.2, as noted in Wikipedia - Java Database Connectivity. Since Java SE 17 includes JDBC 4.3, this driver type is no longer part of the standard distribution, making it irrelevant for modern development.
• Type 2 and 3 Drivers: These drivers remain in use but are less common. Type 2 drivers, such as IBM DB2's Type 2 driver, are efficient for specific systems like z/OS but require vendor-specific libraries, limiting portability. Type 3 drivers, exemplified by DataDirect SequeLink, are useful for middleware-based architectures, supporting features like load balancing, but require network support, which can be a maintenance burden.
• Type 4 Driver Dominance: The Native-Protocol Fully Java Driver (Type 4) is the most prevalent in Java SE 17 and higher. It offers direct database connectivity without intermediaries, making it highly portable and easy to deploy. Examples include drivers for DB2, Derby, HSQLDB, and MySQL, as mentioned in TheServerSide - JDBC Driver Types Explained. This type is preferred for its alignment with modern Java's emphasis on pure Java solutions.

Practical Considerations
For developers working with Java SE 17 and higher, the choice of driver depends on the application’s needs:

• For single-database applications, Type 4 drivers are the go-to choice due to their simplicity and performance.
• For scenarios requiring access to multiple databases or advanced features like load balancing, Type 3 drivers may be considered, though they are less common.
• Type 2 drivers are niche, used primarily when legacy systems or specific vendor libraries are involved, and Type 3 or 4 options are unavailable.
• Supporting Evidence

This comprehensive survey ensures that all aspects of the user's query are addressed, providing both historical context and modern applicability for JDBC drivers in Java SE 17 and higher.

Because each database system is different, a unique driver must be written for each, since there is no universal driver that will translate between a JDBC application and any database system, unfortunately. Typically, the drivers are furnished by the vendor of the database. In our case, Cloudscape has written a driver for us to use.
If you needed to connect to another DBMS, you would have to locate a source for an appropriate driver. For example, if you wanted to use an Oracle DBMS, you would have to obtain an appropriate driver from Oracle.
The drivers are categorized by type, and each type is distinguished by:

1. Driver components
2. Language used to develop the components
3. Locations where components reside

 

Numeric Classification of Drivers
Driver types are referred to by type, such as "Type 1 driver."
There are four types of JDBC drivers that perform mapping to the vendor protocol for database access, as described in the table below. All Type 1, 2, and 4 drivers talk directly to a database system. Type 3 drivers depend on an intermediate level to collect and direct their JDBC commands to a database.