Description: Each activity in this self-study tutorial highlights an important feature of Derby.
Keywords: self-study tutorial, overview

# Tutorial overview

Each activity in this self-study tutorial highlights an important feature of Derby.

Here is what you can expect to learn in each activity:

Activity 1:
  Use the Derby `ij` tool to load the Derby embedded driver and start the Derby database engine. Create the database `firstdb` and the table `FIRSTTABLE`. Use a few basic SQL statements to insert and select data. The Derby message log `derby.log` and the database directories and files are introduced.
Activity 2:
  Use Derby within a client/server configuration. Start the Derby Network Server, which will embed the Derby engine. In a separate process, use the Derby `ij` tool to load the Derby client driver and connect to the Network Server. Create a database called `seconddb` and the table `SECONDTABLE`. Use a few basic SQL statements to insert and select data.
Activity 3:
  Load the Derby database engine from a simple Java JDBC program. Use the embedded driver to create the database `jdbcDemoDB` and the `WISH_LIST` table. Populate the table with text entered from the keyboard, then view a list of the records in the table. Walk through the code to understand the basic structure of a JDBC program that accesses a Derby database. The `CLASSPATH` variable and connection URL attribute `;shutdown=true` are introduced.
Activity 4:
  Modify the Java JDBC program to load the client driver and connect to the Derby Network Server. Compile the altered program and test that the program operates as it did in the previous activity.

Parent topic: Self-study tutorial for users new to Derby