Using the JDBC driver
This section provides quickstart instructions to make a simple connection to a SQL Server database using the Microsoft JDBC Driver for SQL Server. Before you connect to a SQL Server database, SQL Server must first be installed on either your local computer or a server, and the JDBC driver must be installed on your local computer.
Choose the right JAR file
The Microsoft JDBC Driver provides different Jars to be used in correspondence with your preferred Java Runtime Environment (JRE) settings, as under:
The Microsoft JDBC Driver 12.8 for SQL Server provides mssql-jdbc-12.8.0.jre8.jar and mssql-jdbc-12.8.0.jre11.jar class library files.
The Microsoft JDBC Driver 12.6 for SQL Server provides mssql-jdbc-12.6.0.jre8.jar and mssql-jdbc-12.6.0.jre11.jar class library files.
The Microsoft JDBC Driver 12.4 for SQL Server provides mssql-jdbc-12.4.0.jre8.jar and mssql-jdbc-12.4.0.jre11.jar class library files.
The Microsoft JDBC Driver 12.2 for SQL Server provides mssql-jdbc-12.2.0.jre8.jar and mssql-jdbc-12.2.0.jre11.jar class library files.
The Microsoft JDBC Driver 11.2 for SQL Server provides mssql-jdbc-11.2.0.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-11.2.0.jre11.jar, mssql-jdbc-11.2.0.jre17.jar, and mssql-jdbc-11.2.0.jre18.jar class library files.
The Microsoft JDBC Driver 10.2 for SQL Server provides mssql-jdbc-10.2.0.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-10.2.0.jre11.jar, and mssql-jdbc-10.2.0.jre17.jar class library files.
The Microsoft JDBC Driver 9.4 for SQL Server provides mssql-jdbc-9.4.1.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-9.4.1.jre11.jar, and mssql-jdbc-9.4.1.jre16.jar class library files.
The Microsoft JDBC Driver 9.2 for SQL Server provides mssql-jdbc-9.2.1.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-9.2.1.jre11.jar, and mssql-jdbc-9.2.1.jre15.jar class library files.
The Microsoft JDBC Driver 8.4 for SQL Server provides mssql-jdbc-8.4.1.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-8.4.1.jre11.jar, and mssql-jdbc-8.4.1.jre14.jar class library files.
The Microsoft JDBC Driver 8.2 for SQL Server provides mssql-jdbc-8.2.2.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-8.2.2.jre11.jar, and mssql-jdbc-8.2.2.jre13.jar class library files.
The Microsoft JDBC Driver 7.4 for SQL Server provides mssql-jdbc-7.4.1.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-7.4.1.jre11.jar, and mssql-jdbc-7.4.1.jre12.jar class library files.
The Microsoft JDBC Driver 7.2 for SQL Server provides mssql-jdbc-7.2.2.jre8.jar, and mssql-jdbc-7.2.2.jre11.jar class library files.
The Microsoft JDBC Driver 7.0 for SQL Server provides mssql-jdbc-7.0.0.jre8.jar, and mssql-jdbc-7.0.0.jre10.jar class library files.
The Microsoft JDBC Driver 6.4 for SQL Server provides mssql-jdbc-6.4.0.jre7.jar, mssql-jdbc-6.4.0.jre8.jar, and mssql-jdbc-6.4.0.jre9.jar class library files.
The Microsoft JDBC Driver 6.2 for SQL Server provides mssql-jdbc-6.2.2.jre7.jar, and mssql-jdbc-6.2.2.jre8.jar class library files.
The Microsoft JDBC Drivers 6.0 and 4.2 for SQL Server provide sqljdbc41.jar, and sqljdbc42.jar class library files.
The Microsoft JDBC Driver 4.1 for SQL Server provides the sqljdbc41.jar class library file.
Your choice will determine the available features. For more information about which JAR file to choose, see System requirements for the JDBC driver.
Setting the classpath
The Microsoft JDBC driver jars aren't part of the Java SDK and must be included in Classpath of user application.
If using JDBC Driver 12.8, set the classpath to include the mssql-jdbc-12.8.0.jre8.jar or mssql-jdbc-12.8.0.jre11.jar.
If using JDBC Driver 12.6, set the classpath to include the mssql-jdbc-12.6.0.jre8.jar or mssql-jdbc-12.6.0.jre11.jar.
If using JDBC Driver 12.4, set the classpath to include the mssql-jdbc-12.4.0.jre8.jar or mssql-jdbc-12.4.0.jre11.jar.
If using JDBC Driver 12.2, set the classpath to include the mssql-jdbc-12.2.0.jre8.jar or mssql-jdbc-12.2.0.jre11.jar.
If using JDBC Driver 11.2, set the classpath to include the mssql-jdbc-11.2.0.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-11.2.0.jre11.jar, mssql-jdbc-11.2.0.jre17.jar, or mssql-jdbc-11.2.0.jre18.jar.
If using JDBC Driver 10.2, set the classpath to include the mssql-jdbc-10.2.0.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-10.2.0.jre11.jar, or mssql-jdbc-10.2.0.jre17.jar.
If using JDBC Driver 9.4, set the classpath to include the mssql-jdbc-9.4.1.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-9.4.1.jre11.jar, or mssql-jdbc-9.4.1.jre16.jar.
If using JDBC Driver 9.2, set the classpath to include the mssql-jdbc-9.2.1.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-9.2.1.jre11.jar, or mssql-jdbc-9.2.1.jre15.jar.
If using JDBC Driver 8.4, set the classpath to include the mssql-jdbc-8.4.1.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-8.4.1.jre11.jar, or mssql-jdbc-8.4.1.jre14.jar.
If using JDBC Driver 8.2, set the classpath to include the mssql-jdbc-8.2.2.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-8.2.2.jre11.jar, or mssql-jdbc-8.2.2.jre13.jar.
If using JDBC Driver 7.4, set the classpath to include the mssql-jdbc-7.4.1.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-7.4.1.jre11.jar, or mssql-jdbc-7.4.1.jre12.jar.
If using JDBC Driver 7.2, set the classpath to include the mssql-jdbc-7.2.2.jre8.jar or mssql-jdbc-7.2.2.jre11.jar.
If using JDBC Driver 7.0, set the classpath to include the mssql-jdbc-7.0.0.jre8.jar or mssql-jdbc-7.0.0.jre10.jar.
If using JDBC Driver 6.4, set the classpath to include the mssql-jdbc-6.4.0.jre7.jar, mssql-jdbc-6.4.0.jre8.jar, or mssql-jdbc-6.4.0.jre9.jar.
If using JDBC Driver 6.2, set the classpath to include the mssql-jdbc-6.2.2.jre7.jar or mssql-jdbc-6.2.2.jre8.jar.
If using JDBC Driver 4.1 or 4.2, set the classpath to include sqljdbc41.jar or sqljdbc42.jar file from the respective driver download.
If the classpath is missing an entry for the right Jar file, an application will throw the common Class not found exception.
For Microsoft JDBC Driver 12.8
The mssql-jdbc-12.8.0.jre8.jar or mssql-jdbc-12.8.0.jre11.jar files are installed in the following locations:
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-12.8.0.jre8.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-12.8.0.jre11.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Windows application:
CLASSPATH =.;C:\Program Files\Microsoft JDBC Driver 12.8 for SQL Server\sqljdbc_12.8\enu\mssql-jdbc-12.8.0.jre11.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Unix/Linux application:
CLASSPATH =.:/home/usr1/mssqlserverjdbc/Driver/sqljdbc_12.8/enu/mssql-jdbc-12.8.0.jre11.jar
Make sure that the CLASSPATH statement contains only one Microsoft JDBC Driver for SQL Server, such as either mssql-jdbc-12.8.0.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-12.8.0.jre11.jar.
For Microsoft JDBC Driver 12.6
The mssql-jdbc-12.6.0.jre8.jar or mssql-jdbc-12.6.0.jre11.jar files are installed in the following locations:
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-12.6.0.jre8.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-12.6.0.jre11.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Windows application:
CLASSPATH =.;C:\Program Files\Microsoft JDBC Driver 12.6 for SQL Server\sqljdbc_12.6\enu\mssql-jdbc-12.6.0.jre11.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Unix/Linux application:
CLASSPATH =.:/home/usr1/mssqlserverjdbc/Driver/sqljdbc_12.6/enu/mssql-jdbc-12.6.0.jre11.jar
Make sure that the CLASSPATH statement contains only one Microsoft JDBC Driver for SQL Server, such as either mssql-jdbc-12.6.0.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-12.6.0.jre11.jar.
For Microsoft JDBC Driver 12.4
The mssql-jdbc-12.4.0.jre8.jar or mssql-jdbc-12.4.0.jre11.jar files are installed in the following locations:
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-12.4.0.jre8.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-12.4.0.jre11.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Windows application:
CLASSPATH =.;C:\Program Files\Microsoft JDBC Driver 12.4 for SQL Server\sqljdbc_12.4\enu\mssql-jdbc-12.4.0.jre11.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Unix/Linux application:
CLASSPATH =.:/home/usr1/mssqlserverjdbc/Driver/sqljdbc_12.4/enu/mssql-jdbc-12.4.0.jre11.jar
Make sure that the CLASSPATH statement contains only one Microsoft JDBC Driver for SQL Server, such as either mssql-jdbc-12.4.0.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-12.4.0.jre11.jar.
For Microsoft JDBC Driver 12.2
The mssql-jdbc-12.2.0.jre8.jar or mssql-jdbc-12.2.0.jre11.jar files are installed in the following locations:
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-12.2.0.jre8.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-12.2.0.jre11.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Windows application:
CLASSPATH =.;C:\Program Files\Microsoft JDBC Driver 12.2 for SQL Server\sqljdbc_12.2\enu\mssql-jdbc-12.2.0.jre11.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Unix/Linux application:
CLASSPATH =.:/home/usr1/mssqlserverjdbc/Driver/sqljdbc_12.2/enu/mssql-jdbc-12.2.0.jre11.jar
Make sure that the CLASSPATH statement contains only one Microsoft JDBC Driver for SQL Server, such as either mssql-jdbc-12.2.0.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-12.2.0.jre11.jar.
For Microsoft JDBC Driver 11.2
The mssql-jdbc-11.2.0.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-11.2.0.jre11.jar, mssql-jdbc-11.2.0.jre17.jar, or mssql-jdbc-11.2.0.jre18.jar files are installed in the following locations:
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-11.2.0.jre8.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-11.2.0.jre11.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-11.2.0.jre17.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-11.2.0.jre18.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Windows application:
CLASSPATH =.;C:\Program Files\Microsoft JDBC Driver 11.2 for SQL Server\sqljdbc_11.2\enu\mssql-jdbc-11.2.0.jre11.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Unix/Linux application:
CLASSPATH =.:/home/usr1/mssqlserverjdbc/Driver/sqljdbc_11.2/enu/mssql-jdbc-11.2.0.jre11.jar
Make sure that the CLASSPATH statement contains only one Microsoft JDBC Driver for SQL Server, such as either mssql-jdbc-11.2.0.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-11.2.0.jre11.jar, mssql-jdbc-11.2.0.jre17.jar, mssql-jdbc-11.2.0.jre18.jar.
For Microsoft JDBC Driver 10.2
The mssql-jdbc-10.2.0.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-10.2.0.jre11.jar, or mssql-jdbc-10.2.0.jre17.jar files are installed in the following locations:
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-10.2.0.jre8.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-10.2.0.jre11.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-10.2.0.jre17.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Windows application:
CLASSPATH =.;C:\Program Files\Microsoft JDBC Driver 10.2 for SQL Server\sqljdbc_10.2\enu\mssql-jdbc-10.2.0.jre11.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Unix/Linux application:
CLASSPATH =.:/home/usr1/mssqlserverjdbc/Driver/sqljdbc_10.2/enu/mssql-jdbc-10.2.0.jre11.jar
Make sure that the CLASSPATH statement contains only one Microsoft JDBC Driver for SQL Server, such as either mssql-jdbc-10.2.0.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-10.2.0.jre11.jar, or mssql-jdbc-10.2.0.jre17.jar.
For Microsoft JDBC Driver 9.4
The mssql-jdbc-9.4.1.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-9.4.1.jre11.jar, or mssql-jdbc-9.4.1.jre16.jar files are installed in the following locations:
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-9.4.1.jre8.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-9.4.1.jre11.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-9.4.1.jre16.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Windows application:
CLASSPATH =.;C:\Program Files\Microsoft JDBC Driver 9.4 for SQL Server\sqljdbc_9.4\enu\mssql-jdbc-9.4.1.jre11.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Unix/Linux application:
CLASSPATH =.:/home/usr1/mssqlserverjdbc/Driver/sqljdbc_9.4/enu/mssql-jdbc-9.4.1.jre11.jar
Make sure that the CLASSPATH statement contains only one Microsoft JDBC Driver for SQL Server, such as either mssql-jdbc-9.4.1.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-9.4.1.jre11.jar, or mssql-jdbc-9.4.1.jre16.jar.
For Microsoft JDBC Driver 9.2
The mssql-jdbc-9.2.1.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-9.2.1.jre11.jar, or mssql-jdbc-9.2.1.jre15.jar files are installed in the following locations:
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-9.2.1.jre8.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-9.2.1.jre11.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-9.2.1.jre15.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Windows application:
CLASSPATH =.;C:\Program Files\Microsoft JDBC Driver 9.2 for SQL Server\sqljdbc_9.2\enu\mssql-jdbc-9.2.1.jre11.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Unix/Linux application:
CLASSPATH =.:/home/usr1/mssqlserverjdbc/Driver/sqljdbc_9.2/enu/mssql-jdbc-9.2.1.jre11.jar
Make sure that the CLASSPATH statement contains only one Microsoft JDBC Driver for SQL Server, such as either mssql-jdbc-9.2.1.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-9.2.1.jre11.jar, or mssql-jdbc-9.2.1.jre15.jar.
For Microsoft JDBC Driver 8.4
The mssql-jdbc-8.4.1.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-8.4.1.jre11.jar, or mssql-jdbc-8.4.1.jre14.jar files are installed in the following locations:
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-8.4.1.jre8.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-8.4.1.jre11.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-8.4.1.jre14.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Windows application:
CLASSPATH =.;C:\Program Files\Microsoft JDBC Driver 8.4 for SQL Server\sqljdbc_8.4\enu\mssql-jdbc-8.4.1.jre11.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Unix/Linux application:
CLASSPATH =.:/home/usr1/mssqlserverjdbc/Driver/sqljdbc_8.4/enu/mssql-jdbc-8.4.1.jre11.jar
Make sure that the CLASSPATH statement contains only one Microsoft JDBC Driver for SQL Server, such as either mssql-jdbc-8.4.1.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-8.4.1.jre11.jar, or mssql-jdbc-8.4.1.jre14.jar.
For Microsoft JDBC Driver 8.2
The mssql-jdbc-8.2.2.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-8.2.2.jre11.jar, or mssql-jdbc-8.2.2.jre13.jar files are installed in the following locations:
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-8.2.2.jre8.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-8.2.2.jre11.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-8.2.2.jre13.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Windows application:
CLASSPATH =.;C:\Program Files\Microsoft JDBC Driver 8.2 for SQL Server\sqljdbc_8.2\enu\mssql-jdbc-8.2.2.jre11.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Unix/Linux application:
CLASSPATH =.:/home/usr1/mssqlserverjdbc/Driver/sqljdbc_8.2/enu/mssql-jdbc-8.2.2.jre11.jar
Make sure that the CLASSPATH statement contains only one Microsoft JDBC Driver for SQL Server, such as either mssql-jdbc-8.2.2.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-8.2.2.jre11.jar, or mssql-jdbc-8.2.2.jre13.jar.
For Microsoft JDBC Driver 7.4
The mssql-jdbc-7.4.1.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-7.4.1.jre11.jar, or mssql-jdbc-7.4.1.jre12.jar files are installed in the following locations:
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-7.4.1.jre8.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-7.4.1.jre11.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-7.4.1.jre12.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Windows application:
CLASSPATH =.;C:\Program Files\Microsoft JDBC Driver 7.4 for SQL Server\sqljdbc_7.4\enu\mssql-jdbc-7.4.1.jre11.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Unix/Linux application:
CLASSPATH =.:/home/usr1/mssqlserverjdbc/Driver/sqljdbc_7.4/enu/mssql-jdbc-7.4.1.jre11.jar
Make sure that the CLASSPATH statement contains only one Microsoft JDBC Driver for SQL Server, such as either mssql-jdbc-7.4.1.jre8.jar, mssql-jdbc-7.4.1.jre11.jar, or mssql-jdbc-7.4.1.jre12.jar.
For Microsoft JDBC Driver 7.2
The mssql-jdbc-7.2.2.jre8.jar or mssql-jdbc-7.2.2.jre11.jar files are installed in the following locations:
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-7.2.2.jre8.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-7.2.2.jre11.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Windows application:
CLASSPATH =.;C:\Program Files\Microsoft JDBC Driver 7.2 for SQL Server\sqljdbc_7.2\enu\mssql-jdbc-7.2.2.jre11.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Unix/Linux application:
CLASSPATH =.:/home/usr1/mssqlserverjdbc/Driver/sqljdbc_7.2/enu/mssql-jdbc-7.2.2.jre11.jar
Make sure that the CLASSPATH statement contains only one Microsoft JDBC Driver for SQL Server, such as either mssql-jdbc-7.2.2.jre8.jar or mssql-jdbc-7.2.2.jre11.jar.
For Microsoft JDBC Driver 7.0
The mssql-jdbc-7.0.0.jre8.jar or mssql-jdbc-7.0.0.jre10.jar files are installed in the following locations:
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-7.0.0.jre8.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-7.0.0.jre10.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Windows application:
CLASSPATH =.;C:\Program Files\Microsoft JDBC Driver 7.0 for SQL Server\sqljdbc_7.0\enu\mssql-jdbc-7.0.0.jre10.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Unix/Linux application:
CLASSPATH =.:/home/usr1/mssqlserverjdbc/Driver/sqljdbc_7.0/enu/mssql-jdbc-7.0.0.jre10.jar
Make sure that the CLASSPATH statement contains only one Microsoft JDBC Driver for SQL Server, such as either mssql-jdbc-7.0.0.jre8.jar or mssql-jdbc-7.0.0.jre10.jar.
For Microsoft JDBC Driver 6.4
The mssql-jdbc-6.4.0.jre7.jar, mssql-jdbc-6.4.0.jre8.jar, or mssql-jdbc-6.4.0.jre9.jar files are installed in the following location:
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-6.4.0.jre7.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-6.4.0.jre8.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-6.4.0.jre9.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Windows application:
CLASSPATH =.;C:\Program Files\Microsoft JDBC Driver 6.4 for SQL Server\sqljdbc_6.4\enu\mssql-jdbc-6.4.0.jre9.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Unix/Linux application:
CLASSPATH =.:/home/usr1/mssqlserverjdbc/Driver/sqljdbc_6.4/enu/mssql-jdbc-6.4.0.jre9.jar
Make sure that the CLASSPATH statement contains only one Microsoft JDBC Driver for SQL Server, such as either mssql-jdbc-6.4.0.jre7.jar, mssql-jdbc-6.4.0.jre8.jar, or mssql-jdbc-6.4.0.jre9.jar.
For Microsoft JDBC Driver 6.2
The mssql-jdbc-6.2.2.jre7.jar or mssql-jdbc-6.2.2.jre8.jar files are installed in the following locations:
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-6.2.2.jre7.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\mssql-jdbc-6.2.2.jre8.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Windows application:
CLASSPATH =.;C:\Program Files\Microsoft JDBC Driver 6.2 for SQL Server\sqljdbc_6.2\enu\mssql-jdbc-6.2.2.jre8.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Unix/Linux application:
CLASSPATH =.:/home/usr1/mssqlserverjdbc/Driver/sqljdbc_6.2/enu/mssql-jdbc-6.2.2.jre8.jar
Make sure that the CLASSPATH statement contains only one Microsoft JDBC Driver for SQL Server, such as either mssql-jdbc-6.2.2.jre7.jar or mssql-jdbc-6.2.2.jre8.jar.
For Microsoft JDBC Driver 4.1, 4.2, and 6.0
The sqljdbc.jar file, sqljdbc4.jar file, sqljdbc41.jar, or sqljdbc42.jar file are installed in the following location:
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\sqljdbc.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\sqljdbc4.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\sqljdbc41.jar
\<installation directory>\sqljdbc_<version>\<language>\sqljdbc42.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Windows application:
CLASSPATH =.;C:\Program Files\Microsoft JDBC Driver 6.0 for SQL Server\sqljdbc_4.2\enu\sqljdbc42.jar
The following snippet is an example of the CLASSPATH statement that's used for a Unix/Linux application:
CLASSPATH =.:/home/usr1/mssqlserverjdbc/Driver/sqljdbc_4.2/enu/sqljdbc42.jar
Make sure that the CLASSPATH statement contains only one Microsoft JDBC Driver for SQL Server, such as either sqljdbc.jar, sqljdbc4.jar, sqljdbc41.jar, or sqljdbc42.jar.
Note
On Windows systems, directory names longer than the 8.3 filename convention or folder names with spaces may cause problems with classpaths. If you suspect these types of issues, you should temporarily move the sqljdbc.jar file, sqljdbc4.jar file, or the sqljdbc41.jar file into a simple directory name such as C:\Temp, change the classpath, and determine whether that addresses the problem.
Applications that are run directly at the command prompt
The classpath is configured in the operating system. Append sqljdbc.jar, sqljdbc4.jar, or sqljdbc41.jar to the classpath of the system. Alternatively, you can specify the classpath on the Java command line that runs the application with the java -classpath option.
Applications that run in an IDE
Each IDE vendor provides a different method to set the classpath in its IDE. Just setting the classpath in the operating system won't work. You must add sqljdbc.jar, sqljdbc4.jar, or sqljdbc41.jar to the IDE classpath.
Servlets and JSPs
Servlets and JSPs are run in a servlet/JSP engine such as Tomcat. The classpath must be set according to the servlet/JSP engine documentation. Just setting the classpath in the operating system won't work. Some servlet/JSP engines provide setup screens that you can use to set the classpath of the engine. In that situation, you must append the correct JDBC Driver JAR file to the existing engine classpath and restart the engine. In other situations, you can deploy the driver by copying sqljdbc.jar, sqljdbc4.jar, or sqljdbc41.jar to a specific directory, such as lib, during engine installation. The engine driver classpath can also be specified in an engine-specific configuration file.
Enterprise Java Beans
Enterprise Java Beans (EJB) are run in an EJB container. EJB containers are sourced from various vendors. Java applets run in a browser but are downloaded from a web server. Copy sqljdbc.jar, sqljdbc4.jar, or sqljdbc41.jar to the web server root and specify the name of the JAR file in the HTML archive tab of the applet, for example, <applet ... archive=mssql-jdbc-***.jar>.
Make a simple connection to a database
To use the sqljdbc.jar class library, applications must first register the driver as follows:
Class.forName("com.microsoft.sqlserver.jdbc.SQLServerDriver");
When the driver is loaded, you can establish a connection with a connection URL and the getConnection method of the DriverManager class:
String connectionUrl = "jdbc:sqlserver://localhost:1433;databaseName=AdventureWorks;user=MyUserName;password=*****;encrypt=false;";
Connection con = DriverManager.getConnection(connectionUrl);
Warning
The above connection string uses encrypt=false, which is not recommended for production use. For more information about encrypting your database connection with JDBC, see Connecting with encryption.
Starting from JDBC API 4.0, the DriverManager.getConnection() method is enhanced to load JDBC drivers automatically. Therefore, applications don't need to call the Class.forName method to register or load the driver when using driver jar libraries.
When the getConnection method of the DriverManager class is called, an appropriate driver is located from the set of registered JDBC drivers. sqljdbc4.jar, sqljdbc41.jar, or sqljdbc42.jar file includes "META-INF/services/java.sql.Driver" file, which contains the com.microsoft.sqlserver.jdbc.SQLServerDriver as a registered driver. The existing applications, which currently load the drivers by using the Class.forName method, will continue to work without modification.
Note
sqljdbc4.jar, sqljdbc41.jar, or sqljdbc42.jar class library cannot be used with older versions of the Java Runtime Environment (JRE). See System requirements for the JDBC driver for the list of JRE versions supported by the Microsoft JDBC Driver for SQL Server.
For more information about how to connect with data sources and use a connection URL, see Building the connection URL and Setting the connection properties.