Accessing databases within a jar file using the classpath

Once an archive containing one or more Derby databases has been created it can be placed in the classpath. This allows access to a database from within an application without the application's knowing the path of the archive.

When jar or zip files are part of the classpath, you do not have to specify the jar subsubprotocol to connect to them.

To access a database in a zip or jar file in the classpath:

  1. Set the classpath to include the jar or zip file before starting up Derby:
    CLASSPATH="C:\dbs.jar;%CLASSPATH%"
  2. Connect to a database within the jar or zip file with one of the following connection URLs:
    Standard syntax:
    jdbc:derby:/databasePathWithinArchive
    Syntax with subsubprotocol:
    jdbc:derby:classpath:/databasePathWithinArchive
For example:
jdbc:derby:/products/boiledfood
jdbc:derby:classpath:/products/boiledfood