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.