In the previous chapter, we learned how to use source control management software from Eclipse. Specifically, we learned how to use SVN and Git from Eclipse. In this chapter, we will get back to discussing JEE application development. Most web applications today require access to the database. In this chapter, we will learn two ways to access databases from JEE web applications: using JDBC APIs, and using JPA APIs.
JDBC4 has been part of JDK since version 1.1. It provides uniform APIs to access different relational databases. Between JDBC APIs and the database sits the JDBC driver for that database (either provided by the vendor of the database or a third-party vendor). JDBC translates common API calls to database-specific calls. The results returned from the database are also converted into objects of common data access classes. Although JDBC APIs require you to write a lot more code to access the database, it is still popular in JEE web applications...