Chapter 6. Datasource Management

6.1. Introduction

6.1.1. About JDBC

The JDBC API is the standard that defines how databases are accessed by Java applications. An application configures a datasource that references a JDBC driver. Application code can then be written against the driver, rather than the database. The driver converts the code to the database language. This means that if the correct driver is installed, an application can be used with any supported database.
The JDBC 4.0 specification is defined here: http://jcp.org/en/jsr/detail?id=221.
To get started with JDBC and datasources, refer to the JDBC Driver section of the Administration and Configuration Guide for JBoss EAP 6.

6.1.2. JBoss EAP 6 Supported Databases

The list of JDBC compliant databases supported by JBoss EAP 6 is available here: https://access.redhat.com/site/articles/111663.

6.1.3. Types of Datasources

The two general types of resources are referred to as datasources and XA datasources.
Non-XA datasources are used for applications which do not use transactions, or applications which use transactions with a single database.
XA datasources are used by applications whose transactions are distributed across multiple databases. XA datasources introduce additional overhead.
You specify the type of your datasource when you create it in the Management Console or Management CLI.

6.1.4. The Example Datasource

JBoss EAP 6 includes a H2 database. It is a lightweight, relational database management system that provides developers with the ability to quickly build applications, and is the example datasource for the platform.

Warning

However, it should not be used in a production environment. It is a very small, self-contained datasource that supports all of the standards needed for testing and building applications, but is not robust or scalable enough for production use.
For a list of supported and certified datasources, refer here: Section 6.1.2, “JBoss EAP 6 Supported Databases”.

6.1.5. Deployment of -ds.xml files

In JBoss EAP 6, datasources are defined as a resource of the server subsystem. In previous versions, a *-ds.xml datasource configuration file was required in the deployment directory of the server configuration. *-ds.xml files can still be deployed in JBoss EAP 6, following the 1.1 data sources schema available under Schemas here: http://www.ironjacamar.org/documentation.html.

Warning

This feature should only be used for development. It is not recommended for production environments, because it is not supported by the JBoss administrative and management tools.

Important

It is mandatory to use a reference to an already deployed / defined <driver> entry when deploying *-ds.xml files.