JDBC

The JDBC API promises to «virtually any data source, from relational databases to spreadsheets and flat files». This API is found in the java.sql and javax.sql packages.

Driver types

Type 1 drivers required ODBC for coummincation with the database. Type 1 drivers are discontinued with Java 9.

Type 2 drivers require a platform (OS) dependent library for communication with the database.

Type 3 drivers is a pure Java (thus not platform dependent) library that comminucates over a server side middleware with the database

Type 4 drivers require no middleware solution.