Comparison of Sun and Easysoft JDBC-ODBC Bridge Features

Sun also provide a JDBC-ODBC Bridge and we are often asked "why choose Easysoft?", as at first sight both products appear to do the same job.

Zero Client Installation

The Sun solution is a Type 1 driver and requires the installation of an ODBC driver and driver manager on the client system.

This means the Sun solution cannot be used with Java applets and Java servlets and can only be used on platforms that support local ODBC drivers.

In reality, this restricts its use to Windows and some Unix systems.

By comparison the Easysoft solution is a Type 3 driver.

The client component is 100% Java, has a small footprint and requires zero client installation.

The Easysoft JDBC-ODBC Bridge can be used with applets or servlets that run on any Java Virtual Machine, which means the range of client devices supported is much larger and includes all major Unix systems and portable devices such as PDAs.

Performance and Connectivity

As the Sun JDBC-ODBC Bridge does not support remote access, performance can only be compared when both solutions are used as Type 1 drivers for local access. Even in this configuration, the Easysoft JDBC-ODBC Bridge outperforms the Sun JDBC-ODBC Bridge and supports significantly higher levels of concurrent database connectivity.

Reliability

In Sun’s words, the Sun JDBC-ODBC Bridge is only "appropriate for experimental use and for situations in which no other driver is available." The Easysoft JDBC-ODBC Bridge is a commercial solution designed for use in high throughput implementations and is fully supported and developed.

The Easysoft JDBC-ODBC Bridge is also multithread safe and handles all exception errors.

Unicode

Unlike the Sun solution, the Easysoft JDBC-ODBC Bridge fully supports Unicode, making it suitable for any language character set.

Configuration and Statistics

The Web Administrator integrated into the Easysoft JDBC-ODBC Bridge allows remote configuration management and provides detailed usage statistics. No comparative facilities are provided by Sun.

Easysoft JDBC-ODBC Bridge Sun JDBC-ODBC Bridge
Type 3 JDBC Driver Type 1 JDBC Driver
Can be used with Java applets Can not be used with Java applets
Zero installation client Needs local ODBC driver
Access to remote ODBC data sources No access to remote ODBC data sources
Multithread safe Not multithread safe
Unicode No Unicode
Multiple concurrent statements No multiple concurrent statements
Faster Slower
Actively developed by Easysoft Not actively developed by Sun
Fully supported by Easysoft Not supported by Sun