ODBC-to-JDBC Bridge

Download DMG File

The Lite Edition is distributed in a single disk image (.dmg) file containing a Macintosh Installer package (.mpkg).

Double-Click MPKG

Double-click the .mpkg to start the installation process.

Warning Dialog

You will encounter a warning message asking if you are sure you want to install the software. Click Continue.

Welcome Screen

The installer displays a Welcome message. Click "Continue."

Read Me File

The next screen displays the Read Me file with last-minute updates. Please read carefully and click "Continue".

License Agreement

The License Agreement for the Lite Edition is displayed. Read and click "Continue."

Agree Dialog

You will be prompted to "Agree" to continue the installation or "Disagree" to abort.

Select Destination

You will be asked to select a Destination Volume. Generally, this should be your macOS boot volume. Click the desired disk icon and then click "Continue."

Installation Mode

You may now choose Easy Install (recommended), or if you are an experienced user, you may Customize which components are installed.

Upgrade or Install

If you have installed OpenLink or iODBC components in the past, click "Upgrade" to continue. Otherwise, click "Install."

Custom Components

If you chose the custom option, select which of the listed components to install.

Authentication

You must have an Administration username and password to install this driver. Enter your macOS Username and Password.

Progress & Optimization

You will be shown a graphical progress bar as the Installation progresses, followed by System Optimization.

License File Selection

After the driver has been installed, you will be prompted to locate a license file.

Choose one option:

• Use Existing: If a license file already exists on the machine. Previously generated license files may be re-downloaded from your ODS-Briefcase data space.
• Try or Buy: If you need to obtain a new trial or permanent license file. This will load a relevant web page from which you can obtain a license file.

Completion

When the process is complete, you will be told that the software was successfully installed. Click "Close" and the Single-Tier "Lite" Edition ODBC Driver for JDBC Data Sources is ready for use.

Locate JDBC Driver JAR Files

Determine the location of the JAR files for each JDBC driver you plan to use. Ideally, place all JDBC driver JARs in a common directory for easier management.

/Library/Java/Extensions/
  ├── postgresql-42.7.jar
  ├── mysql-connector-java-8.0.jar
  ├── ojdbc8.jar
  └── other-jdbc-drivers.jar

Set CLASSPATH Environment Variable

Ensure the CLASSPATH operating system environment variable includes entries for each JDBC driver JAR file location. Add this to your shell profile (e.g., ~/.bash_profile, ~/.zshrc):

Then reload your shell: source ~/.zshrc

Save UniversalJDBCTest.java

Copy the complete UniversalJDBCTest Java source code below to a file named UniversalJDBCTest.java. This utility discovers installed JDBC drivers and tests their connectivity.

Save Location: Create this file in your project directory or a dedicated test folder. You can name it UniversalJDBCTest.java.

import java.sql.Connection;
import java.sql.DatabaseMetaData;
import java.sql.DriverManager;
import java.sql.SQLException;
import java.sql.Driver;
import java.util.Enumeration;
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.List;
import java.util.Scanner;
import java.io.Console;

public class UniversalJDBCTest {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Scanner scanner = new Scanner(System.in);
        Console console = System.console();

        System.out.println("=== Universal JDBC Connection Test ===\n");

        // Collect registered JDBC drivers
        List<Driver> driverList = new ArrayList<>();
        Enumeration<Driver> drivers = DriverManager.getDrivers();
        System.out.println("Available JDBC Drivers:\n");

        int index = 1;
        while (drivers.hasMoreElements()) {
            Driver driver = drivers.nextElement();
            driverList.add(driver);
            System.out.printf("%d) %s (v%d.%d)\n",
                    index++, driver.getClass().getName(),
                    driver.getMajorVersion(), driver.getMinorVersion());
        }

        if (driverList.isEmpty()) {
            System.out.println("⚠️ No JDBC drivers are registered with DriverManager.");
            System.out.println("Make sure your driver JARs are on the classpath.");
            scanner.close();
            return;
        }

        // Prompt user to select a driver
        System.out.print("\nSelect a driver by number: ");
        int driverChoice = -1;
        while (driverChoice < 1 || driverChoice > driverList.size()) {
            if (scanner.hasNextInt()) {
                driverChoice = scanner.nextInt();
                if (driverChoice < 1 || driverChoice > driverList.size()) {
                    System.out.print("Invalid choice. Please enter a valid driver number: ");
                }
            } else {
                System.out.print("Please enter a number: ");
                scanner.next(); // discard invalid input
            }
        }
        scanner.nextLine(); // consume newline

        Driver selectedDriver = driverList.get(driverChoice - 1);
        System.out.println("\nSelected Driver: " + selectedDriver.getClass().getName());

        // Prompt for connection parameters
        System.out.print("\nEnter JDBC URL (e.g., jdbc:oracle:thin:@host:port:sid): ");
        String jdbcUrl = scanner.nextLine().trim();

        System.out.print("Enter username: ");
        String username = scanner.nextLine().trim();

        String password;
        if (console != null) {
            char[] pwChars = console.readPassword("Enter password: ");
            password = new String(pwChars);
        } else {
            System.out.print("Enter password (visible): ");
            password = scanner.nextLine();
        }

        // Attempt connection
        System.out.println("\nConnecting...");
        try (Connection conn = DriverManager.getConnection(jdbcUrl, username, password)) {
            DatabaseMetaData metaData = conn.getMetaData();

            System.out.println("\n=== Connection Metadata ===");
            System.out.println("JDBC Driver Name: " + metaData.getDriverName());
            System.out.println("JDBC Driver Version: " + metaData.getDriverVersion());
            System.out.println("JDBC Spec Version: " +
                    metaData.getJDBCMajorVersion() + "." + metaData.getJDBCMinorVersion());
            System.out.println("Database Product Name: " + metaData.getDatabaseProductName());
            System.out.println("Database Product Version: " + metaData.getDatabaseProductVersion());
            System.out.println("\n✅ Connection successful!");
        } catch (SQLException e) {
            System.err.println("\n❌ SQL Error: " + e.getMessage());
            e.printStackTrace();
        } finally {
            scanner.close();
        }
    }
}

Select the code above and copy it to your text editor, then save as UniversalJDBCTest.java. Ensure the filename matches the public class name exactly.

Compile the Java Source

Compile the UniversalJDBCTest.java file with the JDBC driver classes in the classpath:

Example:

This creates UniversalJDBCTest.class in the same directory.

Run the JDBC Test Utility

Execute the compiled test program with the same classpath:

Example:

The program will display all discovered JDBC drivers and prompt you to select one for connection testing.

Verify Connection Success

When prompted, enter your JDBC connection details (URL, username, password). A successful connection displays driver metadata:

=== Universal JDBC Connection Test ===

Available JDBC Drivers:

1) com.informix.jdbc.IfxDriver (v4.2)
2) com.informix.jdbc.InformixDriver (v15.0)
3) virtuoso.jdbc4.Driver (v3.120)
4) org.postgresql.Driver (v42.7)
5) oracle.jdbc.OracleDriver (v23.8)
6) openlink.jdbc4.Driver (v4.56)
7) com.amazonaws.athena.jdbc.AthenaDriver (v1.0)
8) com.mysql.cj.jdbc.Driver (v9.3)
9) com.microsoft.sqlserver.jdbc.SQLServerDriver (v12.10)

Select a driver by number: 5

Selected Driver: oracle.jdbc.OracleDriver

Enter JDBC URL (e.g., jdbc:oracle:thin:@host:port:sid): jdbc:oracle:thin:@54.172.89.18:1521/XE
Enter username: hr
Enter password: 

Connecting...

=== Connection Metadata ===
JDBC Driver Name: Oracle JDBC driver
JDBC Driver Version: 23.8.0.25.04
JDBC Spec Version: 4.3
Database Product Name: Oracle
Database Product Version: Oracle Database 18c Express Edition Release 18.0.0.0.0 - Production
Version 18.4.0.0.0

✅ Connection successful!

If the connection fails: Verify CLASSPATH settings, JDBC driver JAR location, database connectivity, and credentials before proceeding to DSN configuration.

Open iODBC Administrator

Launch the OpenLink iODBC Administrator application from the /Applications/iODBC folder.

Select System DSN Tab

Click the System DSN tab to manage system-wide data sources accessible to all applications.

Click Add Button

Click the "Add" button to create a new Data Source Name.

Select Driver

Select "OpenLink JDBC Lite Driver" from the list of available drivers. Choose the Unicode version if you're working with multi-byte character sets.

Click Finish

Click "Finish" to proceed to the Data Source Name configuration screen.

Enter DSN Name

The Data Source tab prompts you to enter a Data Source Name and optional description. This name will be used by applications to reference this connection.

Configure Connection Parameters

The Connection Tab requires three minimum fields:

• JDBC Driver: Class name (e.g., virtuoso.jdbc3.Driver)
• URL String: Connection URL (e.g., jdbc:virtuoso://localhost:1111/)
• Username: Database username

Configure Options

The Options tab provides performance and compatibility settings:

• Row Buffer Size: Records per network hop (1-99)
• Hide Login Dialog: Suppress login prompts
• Read Only Connection: Uncheck for read/write access
• Defer Fetching of Long Data: Improve performance
• Multiple Active Statements Emulation: Enable concurrent statements

Advanced Preferences

Click "Continue" to access additional advanced preferences for cursor sensitivity, SQL initialization, and memory management:

• Initialization SQL: Auto-execute SQL on connection
• Cursor Sensitivity: Row update detection
• Max Rows Override: Limit result set size
• Disable AutoCommit: Manual commit mode

Save Configuration

Click "Finish" to save your new Data Source Name. The DSN is now available for use by ODBC-compliant applications.