Your Java program will communicate with the database using "JDBC".
As far as
JDBC is concerned, it doesn't matter whether the database is remote or local - that's transparent to the program.
As far as enabling a connection between any program on your computer (Java JDBC, Microsoft Visual Basic, or anything else...) - that depends on many, many factors.
Suggestion:
Become familiar with running JDBC itself (using any database that's convenient for you), then worry about connecting to a remote database afterwards.
Here's a good set of tutorials:
http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/jdbc/ 'Hope that helps .. PSM
