How to set up DataSource in plain Java application?

[rick collette]

Hi,
I know how to set up datasource for servlet applications, we have to modify server.xml and web.xml in Tomcat to do the job.
I am wondering how I can set up datasource for plain java application such as getting datasource from a main method?
I try to do the same as for servlets, but it keep giving set up errors.
thanks,

[Philip Shanks]

Here is a MySQL example:

import com.mysql.jdbc.jdbc2.optional.MysqlDataSource;
...
public static void main (String[] args) {
   ...
   MysqlDataSource ds = new MysqlDataSource();
   ds.setDatabaseName("test_db");
   ds.setServerName("server.domain.com");
   ds.setUser("dbUser");
   ds.setPassword("password");
   ...
   Connection conn = ds.getConnection();
   ...
}

Additionally, you can put your DataSource in a JNDI context for future easy access.

[Ron Newman]

What is the benefit of doing this? Does it create a connection pool?

[David Gallardo]

There's not really any advantage. It's just a matter of consistency since you need to use DataSource if you're using JNDI. Sun's hinted that they may deprecate the traditional method of loading/registering the JDBC driver explicitly and leave DataSource as the only technique for connecting to a database.
@D