Advanced Java Programming - Old Questions

8. Discuss different driver types on JDBC.

JDBC Driver is a software component that enables java application to interact with the database. There are 4 types of JDBC drivers:

Type 1: JDBC-ODBC Bridge

• To use a Type 1 driver in a client machine, an ODBC driver should be installed and configured correctly.
• This type of driver does not directly interact with the database. To interact with database, it needs ODBC driver.
•  The JDBC-ODBC bridge driver converts JDBC method class into ODBC method calls.
•  It can be used to connect to any type of the databases.

Type 2: Native –API driver

• Type 2 drivers are written partially in Java and partially in native code.
• The Native-API of each database should be installed in the client system before accessing a particular database. So in this way, a Native-API driver is database specific driver.
• This driver converts JDBC method calls into native calls of the database API.

Type 3: Net Pure Java Driver

• In a Type 3 driver, the JDBC driver on the client machine uses the socket to communicate with the middleware at the server. The middleware or server acts as a gateway to access the database.
• The client database access requests are sent through the network to the middleware or server and then the middleware converts the request to the database specific API.
•  Type-3 drivers are fully written in Java, hence they are portable drivers.

Type 4: Pure Java Driver

• This driver interact directly with database. It does not require any native database library and middleware server, that is why it is also known as Thin Driver.
• No client-side or server-side installation.
• It is fully written in Java language, hence they are portable drivers.