Database Development in Rational Application Developer 7

Introduction

Rational Application Developer 7.0 offers a wide range of tools to work effectively with relational databases. In this article, you will learn how to establish a database connection, set up a data development project, and work with SQL Builder.

Establishing a Connection

Before any development can begin, a database connection must be established. You will use Derby 10.1 as your sample database. RAD 7.0 comes with the derby.jar file (see the com.ibm.datatools.db2.cloudscape plug-in). In case you want to download a newer version, you can do so by going to http://incubator.apache.org/derby/.

Follow these steps to create a Derby connection:

1. The first step is to open a data perspective. Go to Window &rarr Open Perspective &rarr Data (see Figure 1).



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Figure 1: Data Perspective

2. Next, locate Database Pane on the screen and right-click Connection &rarr New Connection (see Figure 2).



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Figure 2: Open New Connection Dialog

3. In the New Connection Pane, select Derby 10.1 and fill out Connection URL Details:
• JDBC Driver: Other
• Database: Sample
• JDBC Driver Class: org.apache.derby.jdbc.EmbeddedDriver
• Class Location: YOUR_DRIVER_PATH/derby.jar
• Connection URL: jdbc:derby: YOUR_WORKSPACE_PATH\.metadata\.plugins\com.ibm.datatools.db2. cloudscape.driver/sample
4. Test your connection. Note that the user name and password can be any value.



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Figure 3: Set up and test Derby Connection

Now that you have created a database connection, you can move ahead to create a Data Development Project.

Create a Data Development Project

A Data Development Project is required to develop the following types of objects:

• DB2^® and Derby stored procedures
• DB2 user-defined functions
• SQL scripts

1. Open Data Perspective.
2. Click File → New → Data Development Project.
3. When New Data Development Project Dialog opens, set Project Name, Current Schema Name, and click the "Next" button.
4. Select the Derby connection that you set up previously.
5. Click Finish.



Figure 4: Data Development Project