Apache Derby

aid: apache-derby
name: Apache Derby
description: >-
  Apache Derby is an open-source relational database implemented entirely in Java, formerly governed by the Apache Software Foundation (retired October 2025). It provides a small-footprint (~3.5MB) database
  engine with full SQL support, JDBC compliance, ACID transactions, stored procedures, and triggers. Derby operates in both embedded mode (bundled inside Java applications) and client/server mode via the
  Derby Network Server.
type: Index
position: Consumer
access: 3rd-Party
image: https://kinlane-productions2.s3.amazonaws.com/apis-json/apis-json-logo.jpg
tags:
- Apache
- Database
- Embedded
- Java
- JDBC
- Open Source
- Relational
- SQL
created: '2026-03-16'
modified: '2026-04-19'
url: >-
  https://raw.githubusercontent.com/api-evangelist/apache-derby/refs/heads/main/apis.yml
specificationVersion: '0.19'
apis:
- aid: apache-derby:apache-derby
  name: Apache Derby
  description: >-
    Derby provides a standard JDBC API for database operations in both embedded (org.apache.derby.jdbc.EmbeddedDriver) and client/server (org.apache.derby.jdbc.ClientDriver) modes, supporting full SQL,
    stored procedures, triggers, views, indexes, and complete ACID transaction management. The Derby Network Server also exposes a simple text-based administrative protocol.
  humanURL: https://db.apache.org/derby/manuals/index.html
  tags:
  - Embedded
  - Java
  - JDBC
  - Network Server
  - SQL
  - Transactions
  properties:
  - type: Documentation
    url: https://db.apache.org/derby/manuals/index.html
  - type: GettingStarted
    url: https://db.apache.org/derby/quick_start.html
  - type: APIReference
    url: https://db.apache.org/derby/javadoc/publishedapi/jdbc4/
  - type: GitHubRepository
    url: https://github.com/apache/derby
  - type: SDK
    url: https://mvnrepository.com/artifact/org.apache.derby/derby
    title: derby (Maven Central)
  - type: SDK
    url: https://mvnrepository.com/artifact/org.apache.derby/derbyclient
    title: derbyclient (Maven Central)
  - type: SDK
    url: https://mvnrepository.com/artifact/org.apache.derby/derbynet
    title: derbynet Network Server (Maven Central)
  - type: JSONSchema
    url: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/api-evangelist/apache-derby/refs/heads/main/json-schema/apache-derby-connection-config-schema.json
    title: Connection Config
  - type: JSONSchema
    url: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/api-evangelist/apache-derby/refs/heads/main/json-schema/apache-derby-table-info-schema.json
    title: Table Info
  - type: JSONStructure
    url: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/api-evangelist/apache-derby/refs/heads/main/json-structure/apache-derby-connection-config-structure.json
  - type: JSONStructure
    url: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/api-evangelist/apache-derby/refs/heads/main/json-structure/apache-derby-table-info-structure.json
  - type: JSONLD
    url: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/api-evangelist/apache-derby/refs/heads/main/json-ld/apache-derby-context.jsonld
  - type: Example
    url: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/api-evangelist/apache-derby/refs/heads/main/examples/apache-derby-connection-config-example.json
  - type: Example
    url: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/api-evangelist/apache-derby/refs/heads/main/examples/apache-derby-table-info-example.json
maintainers:
- FN: Kin Lane
  email: [email protected]
common:
- type: Portal
  url: https://db.apache.org/derby/
- type: Documentation
  url: https://db.apache.org/derby/manuals/index.html
- type: GettingStarted
  url: https://db.apache.org/derby/quick_start.html
- type: GitHubRepository
  url: https://github.com/apache/derby
- type: GitHubOrganization
  url: https://github.com/apache
- type: StackOverflow
  url: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/tagged/apache-derby
- type: Features
  data:
  - name: Embedded Mode
    description: Derby can be embedded directly in Java applications as a library, providing a zero-administration database with no separate server process required.
  - name: Client/Server Mode
    description: Derby Network Server supports multiple concurrent JDBC clients connecting over TCP/IP using the Derby Network Client driver.
  - name: Full SQL Support
    description: Supports ANSI SQL-92 with extensions including subqueries, joins, constraints, triggers, views, stored procedures, and user-defined functions.
  - name: ACID Transactions
    description: Full ACID transaction support with row-level locking, MVCC-style isolation levels, and savepoints.
  - name: Small Footprint
    description: The base Derby engine and embedded JDBC driver is approximately 3.5MB, making it suitable for desktop and embedded applications.
  - name: Java Stored Procedures
    description: Supports Java-based stored procedures and functions callable directly from SQL using standard JDBC interfaces.
- type: UseCases
  data:
  - name: Embedded Application Database
    description: Embed Derby in desktop Java applications, IDEs, or tools that need a local SQL database without a separate server.
  - name: Unit and Integration Testing
    description: Use Derby as an in-memory or on-disk test database for Java application integration tests with JDBC.
  - name: Lightweight Development Database
    description: Use Derby as a development database when production uses a heavier RDBMS, without installing MySQL or PostgreSQL.
  - name: Data Migration and ETL
    description: Use Derby as a staging database for ETL processes in Java-based data pipelines.
- type: Integrations
  data:
  - name: JDBC
    description: Derby provides JDBC 4.0/4.1/4.2 compliant embedded and network client drivers.
  - name: Spring Framework
    description: Commonly used with Spring DataSource and JPA/Hibernate for test database configuration.
  - name: Hibernate / JPA
    description: Derby has a Hibernate dialect (DerbyDialect) for ORM integration.
  - name: Apache Maven
    description: Derby artifacts are available on Maven Central under org.apache.derby group ID.
  - name: Eclipse IDE
    description: Eclipse IDE includes Derby as a built-in SQL explorer and development database.
- type: Vocabulary
  url: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/api-evangelist/apache-derby/refs/heads/main/vocabulary/apache-derby-vocabulary.yaml