MySQL in JDBC

[Sean Breslin]

I am a college student trying to use a MySQL database for a school project. Unfortunately, we were only taught pure SQL commands. This is the first actual assignment. We are required to use Java, so I need to know how to connect to a MySQL database using the JDBC.

Since I have my own domain that comes with MySQL databases, I've chosen to host the database myself to avoid the university's firewall issues. I have the database created and I set it up in phpMyAdmin. I also have the GUI completely made and the SQL commands are ready to be put into place.

I have tried various Google searches, but I have trouble with some of the terminology. Almost always, they mention setting a "classpath" or something, for example... I don't know if this is just a Java thing or whatever, as I normally write in C/C++ with OpenGL or DirectX and have never had to deal with a "classpath". It could be something fundamental that I've forgotten though, as I haven't had to write Java code in 2 years. There's also the fact that I've never used a database before.

I don't know if this is useful or not, but my OS in Windows XP Pro and my IDE is Eclipse. I'm on my own PC for the code and using a domain I pay for for the database, so I have complete admin privaledges on both.

I thank you for your time and would appreciate any help getting this to work.