JDBC Driver Types

JDBC stands for Java Database Connectivity. It
is a software component, which enable us to
interact with database. It works as an interface
between the client and a database server. It
contains various classes and their methods.
JDBC drivers enable us to create database
connections and to interact with it by sending
SQL or database commands.

1. Type 1: JDBC-ODBC bridge driver
2. Type 2: Native-API driver/Partly driver
3. Type 3: Network-Protocol driver (Middleware driver)
4. Type 4: Database-Protocol driver (Pure Java driver) or thin
driver.

This driver converts JDBC method
calls into ODBC function calls. This
driver is platform-dependent as it
makes use of ODBC which depends
on native libraries of the
underlying OS. Also, use of this
driver leads to other installation
dependencies.
For example, ODBC must
be installed on the computer having
the driver and the database must
support an ODBC driver.

1. Almost any database for which an ODBC driver is installed can
be accessed, and data can be retrieved.
1. Performance overhead since the calls have to go through the
JDBC bridge to the ODBC driver, then to the native db
connectivity interface (thus may be slower than other types of
drivers).
2. The ODBC driver needs to be installed on the client machine.
3. Not suitable for applets, because the ODBC driver needs to be
installed on the client.
4. This driver internally depending on ODBC driver and ODBC
driver is available only for windows platforms and hence
portability of this driver is much less (platform dependent driver).
5. No support from JDK 1.8v onwards

In Type 2 driver, JDBC API calls
are converted into native C/C++
API calls, which are unique to the
database. These drivers are
provided by the database vendors
and used in the same manner as
the JDBC-ODBC Bridge. The
vendor-specific driver must be
installed on each client machine.
If we change the
Database, we have to change the
native API, as it is specific to a
database, but you may realize
increase in speed with a Type 2
driver, because it eliminates
ODBC's overhead.

1. As there is no implementation of JDBC-ODBC bridge, its
considerably faster than a type 1 driver.
1. The vendor client library needs to be installed on the client
machine.
2. Not all databases have a client side library.
3. This driver is platform dependent.
4. This driver supports all java applications except applets.

The type 3 driver, also known as the
Pure Java driver for database-
middleware, is a database driver
implementation which makes use of
a middle tier between the calling
program and the database. The
middle-tier converts JDBC calls
directly or indirectly into the vendor-
specific database protocol.
The same driver can be used
for multiple databases. The type 3
driver is platform-independent as the
platform-related differences are
taken care of by the middleware.
Also, making use of the middleware
provides additional advantages of
security and firewall access.

1. Requires database-specific coding to be done in the middle tier.
2. The middleware layer added may result in additional latency, but
is typically overcome by using better middleware services
1. Since the communication between client and the middleware
server is database independent, there is no need for the
database vendor library on the client.
2. The middleware server (which can be a full-fledged J2EE
Application server) can provide typical middleware services like
caching, load balancing, logging, and auditing.
3. A single driver can handle any database, provided the
middleware supports it.

The type 4 driver, also known as the
Direct to Database Pure Java
Driver, that converts JDBC calls
directly into a vendor-
specific database protocol.
This provides better
performance than the type 1 and
type 2 drivers as it does not have the
overhead of conversion of calls into
ODBC or database API calls. Unlike
the type 3 drivers, it does not need
associated software to work. As the
database protocol is vendor specific,
the JDBC client requires separate
drivers, usually vendor supplied, to
connect to different types of

1. Completely implemented in Java to achieve platform
independence.
2. The client application connects directly to the database server.
No translation or middleware layers are used, improving
performance.
3. The JVM can manage all aspects of the application-to-database
connection; this can facilitate debugging.
1. Drivers are database dependent, as different database vendors
use widely different (and usually proprietary) network protocols.

1. If you are accessing one type of database, such as Oracle,
Sybase, or IBM, the preferred driver type is 4.
2. If your Java application is accessing multiple types of databases
at the same time, type 3 is the preferred driver.
3. Type 2 drivers are useful in situations, where a type 3 or type 4
driver is not available yet for your database.
4. The type 1 driver is not considered a deployment-level driver,
and is typically used for development and testing purposes only.

JDBC Driver Types

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JDBC Driver Types