java why is the database driver not standard?

[Original Poster]

I was just wondering why the java MySQL driver was not in the standard lib? surely it should be its a really useful thing to have :/ (well it would be if i could get the lil b*7ch working )

[psyko_x]

MySQL is one of many different database implementations. Not only that, if java included the JDBC driver for every database implementation that had a JDBC driver, every java program out there would be absolutely massive. The MySQL one alone is several megs. There are so many applications that don't even use databases at all.

Another way to think of it is this. If you bought a motherboard for your computer, should the motherboard just come with a NVIDIA graphics card? What if you wanted an AMD one or didn't want one at all and just wanted to use the CPU's integrated graphics? As long as the motherboard has a PCI-express slot, you're free to buy and use any graphics card you want. The PCIE slot is analogous to JDBC. MySQL is analogous to a specific NVIDIA graphics card that has a PCIE slot.

[kjordan2001]

MySQL is one of many different database implementations. Not only that, if java included the JDBC driver for every database implementation that had a JDBC driver, every java program out there would be absolutely massive. The MySQL one alone is several megs. There are so many applications that don't even use databases at all.

Another way to think of it is this. If you bought a motherboard for your computer, should the motherboard just come with a NVIDIA graphics card? What if you wanted an AMD one or didn't want one at all and just wanted to use the CPU's integrated graphics? As long as the motherboard has a PCI-express slot, you're free to buy and use any graphics card you want. The PCIE slot is analogous to JDBC. MySQL is analogous to a specific NVIDIA graphics card that has a PCIE slot.

Well, the Java programs themselves wouldn't be massive, the JDK/JRE would be more massive. They're not included because then it would be Oracle who would be in charge of putting out the updates for the vendors.