Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) is a Java API that allows SQL statements to be used for manipulating relational databases. The JDBC API consists of classes and interfaces written in Java. The JDBC API allows developers to write portable database applications using pure Java. These applications are portable because database specific JDBC drivers convert the JDBC API call to a database-specific call. Progress provides a JDBC driver for its database. This white paper provides information on the Progress JDBC driver, such as its architecture, the files that comprise the driver, and the files' locations. It also explains the environment variables that need to be set for each platform on which the driver is supported, the settings for each environment variable, and an example of how to set the variables. An example of how to connect to a Progress database through a JDBC driver with a Java application is also provided. In addition, this white paper includes a section on the most common errors, their possible causes, and how to fix them.

This white paper is written for anyone who wants to use either the Progress SQL Explorer Tool or a Java application to access the Progress Database through the Progress SQL-92 JDBC driver. It is assumed that you have some knowledge of Java and JDBC, if writing an application, and some knowledge of how to set environment variables. It is also assumed that the Progress JDBC driver, Java 2 Platform Standard Edition Software Development Kit (J2SE SDK), Java 2 Runtime Environment (J2RE), and Java Virtual Machine (JVM) are already installed. The intention of this white paper is to help get you started using the Progress JDBC driver by explaining how to configure your environment for using the driver, giving you examples on how to get connected, and giving some hints to help solve any problems you may encounter.