About Jdbc - Adobe 38000827 - Macromedia ColdFusion MX Standard Edition Administration Manual

About JDBC

JDBC is a Java API (Application Programming Interface, an interface between
application programs and the operating system) that you use to execute SQL statements.
JDBC enables an application, such as ColdFusion, to interact with a variety of relational
databases, without using interfaces that are database- and platform-specific.
Note: JDBC is not an acronym; however, it is often believed to stand for Java DataBase
Connectivity.
The following table describes the four types of JDBC drivers:
Type
1
2
3
4
30 Chapter 3 Data Source Management
Name Description
JDBC-ODBC Translates JDBC calls into ODBC calls, and sends them to the
bridge ODBC driver.
Advantages Allows access to many different databases.
Disadvantages The ODBC driver, and possibly the client
database libraries, must reside on the ColdFusion server
computer. Performance is also below par.
Macromedia does not recommend this driver type unless your
application requires specific features of these drivers.
Native-API/ Converts JDBC calls into database-specific calls.
partly Java driver
Advantages Better performance than Type 1 Driver.
Disadvantages The vendor's client database libraries must
reside on the same computer as ColdFusion.
Macromedia does not recommend this driver type unless your
application requires specific features of these drivers.
JDBC-Net pure Translates JDBC calls into the middle-tier server, which then
Java driver translates the request to the database-specific
native-connectivity interface.
Advantages No need for vendor's database libraries to be
present on client computer. Can be tailored for small size (faster
loading).
Disadvantages Database-specific code must be executed in
the middle-tier.
Native-protocol/ Converts JDBC calls into the network protocol used directly by
all-Java driver the database.
Advantages Fast performance. No special software needed
on the computer on which you run ColdFusion.
Disadvantages Many of these protocols are proprietary,
requiring a different driver for each database.