Using the JDBC Driver

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The Mimer SQL distribution includes a JDBC driver. This driver enables Java programs running on OpenVMS to access any Mimer SQL database server running at least version 8.2.

The JDBC driver is a `type 4' driver which means that it is written entirely in Java, and can be moved to any platform supporting Java.

Three drivers are supplied. Each driver support a different JDBC standard. Pick the one that best matches your needs.

JDBC Driver	JDBC Standard	Java environment
MIMJDBC1.JAR	JDBC 1.	Java 1.1.8 or later
MIMJDBC2.JAR	JDBC 2	Java 1.2 to Java 1.3
MIMJDBC3.JAR	JDBC 3	Java 1.4 or later

For more information about Java and JDBC, please see:

• SYS$COMMON:[SYSHLP.JAVA.RELEASE_NOTES]
  JDK118_VMS_RELEASE_NOTES.HTML - Java 1.1.8 information (old)
• SYS$COMMON:[JAVA*.DOCS]INDEX.HTML - Java information for more recent versions
• MIMDOC9:MIMJDBEN.PDF - Information on the Mimer JDBC driver.
• http://java.sun.com/products/jdbc - JDBC technology information from Sun.

Using the JDBC Driver

To use the JDBC driver, you must first set-up the OpenVMS Java environment.

Defining Java Commands

When using Java 1.1.8, use the following commands to define the Java commands:

 $ DEASSIGN JAVA$USE_DCL
 $ @SYS$MANAGER:JAVA$SETUP

When using a more recent Java version, use the following commands (Java version 1.4.2 is used in the example):

 $ @SYS$MANAGER:JAVA$142_SETUP

Setting CLASSPATH

To use a Mimer JDBC driver, the Java environment must be able to find it.

The logical name CLASSPATH is used for this purpose. This logical name contains a list of directories and Java archives (.ZIP and .JAR files).

On OpenVMS you can use either the JAVA$CLASSPATH or CLASSPATH logical name to specify a Java classpath. The JAVA$CLASSPATH logical name is easier to use since it uses standard OpenVMS file specifications.

Example

 $ DEFINE JAVA$CLASSPATH MIMLIB9:MIMJDBC2.JAR, SYS$DISK:[]
 

It is also possible to use the CLASSPATH logical name. This logical name uses a UNIX syntax to specify a search path. Please read the OpenVMS Java documentation for details.

The following example sets the CLASSPATH logical name to include the Mimer JDBC 1 driver.

Since the equivalence string becomes rather long, and must be enclosed in quotes, a DCL string is constructed.

Example

 $ SHOW LOG CLASSPATH
 "CLASSPATH" = "/sys$common/java/lib/JDK118_CLASSES.ZIP:." 
(LNM$PROCESS_TABLE)
 $ CLASSPATH=F$TRNLNM("CLASSPATH")+":/MIMLIB9/MIMJDBC1.JAR"
 $ DEFINE CLASSPATH "''CLASSPATH'"
 

The Mimer JDBC driver should now be accessible.

Note: Using logical names that enclose directory specifications with < and > is problematic in Java. Please make sure you use [ and ] instead.

Verifying the Environment

Since the driver contains a main() function, it is possible to execute it as a program for testing purposes.

Use the -version switch to verify that the Java environment can locate and use the Mimer JDBC driver. Note that quotes must be used since Java package names are case sensitive.

 $ JAVA "com.mimer.jdbc.Driver" -version
 Mimer JDBC driver version 2.14

Testing the Connection

Use the -ping switch to test that the driver can make a connection with a Mimer SQL v9.2 database server.

Please read the JDBC driver guide for an explanation of the syntax of the connection URL.

 $ JAVA "com.mimer.jdbc.Driver" -ping -
 $_     "jdbc:mimer://SYSADM:PASSWORD@mynode/testdb"
 Database connection established.
 getDatabaseProductName():    MIMER/DB
 getDatabaseProductVersion(): 09.02.0001 MIMER/DB 9.2.01
 
 Ping tests:
   0     2 ms
   1     2 ms
   2     1 ms
   3     1 ms
   4     1 ms
   5     1 ms
   6     0 ms
   7     2 ms
   8     1 ms
   9     1 ms
 avg     1 ms      min     0 ms      max     2 ms
 

Finally, compile and execute the JDBC example program. You should copy the example program to a private directory and edit it in order to set the connection URL string, database user name and passwords.

 $ SET DEF [SOMEWHERE.PRIVATE]
 $ COPY MIMEXAMPLES9:EXAMPLE.JAVA []
 $ ! Edit the example. Alter the URL and username/password
 $ EDIT EXAMPLE.JAVA
 $ JAVAC EXAMPLE.JAVA
 $ JAVA "Example"

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