Java in the Database

SAP Sybase IQ provides a mechanism for executing Java classes from within the database server environment. Using Java methods in the database server provides powerful ways of adding programming logic to a database.

Java support in the database offers the following:

• Reuse Java components in the different layers of your application—client, middle-tier, or server—and use them wherever it makes the most sense to you. SAP Sybase IQ becomes a platform for distributed computing.

• Java provides a more powerful language than the SQL stored procedure language for building logic into the database.

• Java can be used in the database server without jeopardizing the integrity, security, or robustness of the database and the server.

• Java in the Database FAQ
  This section describes the key features of Java in the database.
• Java Error Handling
  Errors in Java applications generate an exception object representing the error (called throwing an exception). A thrown exception terminates a Java program unless it is caught and handled properly at some level of the application.
• How to Install Java Classes into a Database
  You can install Java classes into a database as a single class or a JAR.
• Special Features of Java Classes in the Database
  This section describes features of Java classes when used in the database.
• How to Start and Stop the Java VM
  The Java VM loads automatically whenever the first Java operation is carried out. To load it explicitly in readiness for carrying out Java operations, you can do so by executing the following statement:
• Shutdown Hooks in the Java VM
  The SAP Sybase IQ Java VM ClassLoader which is used in providing JAVA in the database support allows applications to install shutdown hooks. These shutdown hooks are similar to the shutdown hooks that applications install with the JVM Runtime.