BOOK: JDBC 3 Java Database Connectivity

The book covers JDBC (Java Database Connectivity) version 3. If you haven't worked with JDBC or heard much about it, the first four chapters are for you-the chapters on theory and overview. When it comes to explaining how to connect to a database in your code using JDBC, most reference manuals pour in lots of code and explanation. This book, however, has a chapter 'Database connectivity, step by step' that stands out. We will go to the extent of saying that for your basic JDBC needs — connect, basic querying (insert, delete or update) and close — this chapter will suffice. What we also liked in this chapter is a table on JDBC URL's required to connect to popular databases. The following chapters you get a peek into the similarities and dissimilarities between SQL and Java data types and coding transaction oriented queries. JDBC 3 allows retrieval of auto-generated keys in tables. Through an example of code this simple but useful feature is explained well. A chapter on working with database metadata is useful for those who want to develop general-purpose database tools. And for those who are using Java extensively on server side enterprise applications, a chapter on using JDBC with Enterprise JavaBeans provides an overview. The book sums up with chapters on simple and complex Java applications. The former covers short code examples, which can be used for quick reference in your applications. The latter covers only two, but full-fledged applications, on writing a JDBC-based database explorer and using JDBC with Java RMI application. 

The Bottom line: A book meant for Java programmers who want to know about the ins and outs of the latest version of JDBC. 

Shekhar Govindarajan