JDBC Driver types

Application that use JDBC require JDBC drivers. JDBC drivers are software libraries that communicate between a java application and a database. All JDBC drivers follow the API defined in java SE .

  

                                                      There are four type of drivers available distinguished by their architecture they are:

Type 1: JDBC-ODBC Bridge

This is an old type when the jdbc is started  ODBC is the dominant  model to communicate with the data base. And java first communicate with database through ODBC.

• -communicates through ODBC drivers installed on client
• Can talk to any database

But

• -not  100% Java and not portable
• -drivers must be on the same computer as application
• -the ODBC driver must match the database version

Type 2:native API/partly Java

• Communicates through OS specific Api
• Better performance than JDBC/ODBC Bridge

But

• -not  100% Java and not portable
• -native API driver must be installed on the application client
• -if the database is updated, the client software must be updated

Type 3: all Java /network-protocol Driver

• Communicates through network to middleware server
• Driver is server-based; vendor-specific libraries not required on the client
• The client driver can be very small 

Type 4 :100% java thin driver

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• Communicates directly from application to database
• The driver is 100% java; no additional layers to install of maintain
• The driver is installed with the application, so maintenance is simplified

But

• You need a different driver for each database

now i think you have get the overall idea about the JDBC driver types . I feel so sleepy right now may be i will go off soon or will back after some time ; most probably you have to wait a whole day for  next post...