Adding MySQL Connector to the Java Project in Apache NetBeans

Adding MySQL Connector Java to the Java Project sometimes creates a fuss for the programmer. In this article, we have provided the steps to install MySQL Connector JAR file using the Connector/J driver and add the MySQL Connector/J to your project.

Note: Before downloading the MySQL connector, you should be clear about the version of the MySQL you are using i.e. whether it is version 5 or 8.

To check which version of MySQL is installed on your computer open the MySQL command line client > write the query show variables like ‘%version%’ This will give you a table containing multiple rows.

Check the version row of the table and confirm your version installed

Prerequisites for the Topic:

• JDK 14 or newer version
• Apache Netbeans IDE
• MySQL Community Server

Steps to add MySQL Connector JAR to Java Project

Step 1: Downloading MySQL JDBC Driver

Step 2: Extract and open the downloaded jar file. The file will be named as mysql-connector-java-8.0.22

Step 3: Open Apache NetBeans IDE > Project > Properties > Libraries > Classpath > Add JAR/Folder > mysql-connector-java-8.0.22 > Click on Open >Uncheck Build Dependency box > Click OK

Implementation

Step 1:

• After ensuring the version, if you have version 8 then just search for MySQL connector version 8 and download it from the official website.
• If the version is 5 then go to the Archived page of MySQL and select the Product version to anyone among all present for version 5.
• Select the operating system to be platform-independent.
• Download the ZIP Archive file which contains the JAR file of the connector.

Step 2: Open the downloaded zipped folder and copy the folder present in it to some other location of your choice.

Step 3:

• Open the Apache NetBeans and right click on the project in which you have to add the connector.
• In the option pane, click on Properties.

Step 4: In properties, go to Libraries and click on the plus ‘+’ tab of the Classpath and choose Add JAR/Folder.

Step 5: Browse the folder which we copied to some other location and choose the JAR file present in that folder with name such as mysql-connector-java-8.0.22 and click on Open.

Step 6: Uncheck the box of Build Dependencies and click on Ok.

Step 7: You will note that the MySQL connector is shown in the Libraries package of your project.

Congratulations, MySQL connector has been successfully installed for your Java project.