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.

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, such as /Library/Java/Extensions/.

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):

export CLASSPATH=".:$CLASSPATH"
export CLASSPATH="/Library/Java/Extensions/*:$CLASSPATH"

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.

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();
        }
    }
}

Compile the Java Source

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

javac -cp ".:/Library/Java/Extensions/*" UniversalJDBCTest.java

This creates UniversalJDBCTest.class in the same directory.

Run the JDBC Test Utility

Execute the compiled test program with the same classpath:

java -cp ".:/Library/Java/Extensions/*" UniversalJDBCTest

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. If the connection fails, verify your settings before proceeding.

Open iODBC Administrator

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

Select System DSN Tab & Add

Click the System DSN tab to manage system-wide data sources, then click the "Add" button.

Select Driver

Select "OpenLink JDBC Lite Driver" from the list of available drivers and click "Finish".

Enter DSN Name

The Data Source tab prompts you to enter a Data Source Name and optional description.

Configure Connection Parameters

The Connection Tab requires three minimum fields: JDBC Driver class name, URL String, and Username.

Configure Options

The Options tab provides performance and compatibility settings. The defaults are suitable for most use cases.

Advanced Preferences

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

Save Configuration

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