Apache Derby is an excellent Java-based open source zero cost embeddable file-based relational database
Updated May 14, 2023

Apache Derby is an excellent Java-based open source zero cost embeddable file-based relational database

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Apache Derby

We use Apache Derby to provide a lightweight file-based database to store configuration settings common to all server nodes in our webMethods Integration Server cluster. We also store data that we want to persistently cache across reboots of the server cluster in our Apache Derby database files. Apache Derby means we do not need separate database server infrastructure to provide these features and can just use the Apache Derby embedded library in our existing Java Virtual Machine processes but still have access to an SQL-capable database. This approach simplifies our infrastructure architecture and hence support and TCO costs.

Pros

  • Embedded SQL-capable database client and server
  • Good performance for a file-based database
  • Zero cost open source solution

Cons

  • Not suitable as a replacement for a highly-available horizontally-scalable database
  • Only suitable for use by Java based projects as it is a Java based solution
  • Performance characteristics not suitable for very large data sets
  • Zero cost
  • Java based
  • Embeddable SQL-capable file-based database
  • Reduced our total cost of ownership of our Java solution, as we do not need separate database infrastructure for our relational data needs
  • Zero up front costs to try
  • Support services required are reduced by removing the need for specialist skills in a separate database product
SQLite is another open-source zero-cost file-based SQL-capable database solution and is a good alternative to Apache Derby, especially for non-Java-based solutions. We chose Apache Derby as it is Java-based, and so is the solution we embedded it in. However, SQLite has a similar feature set and is widely used in the industry to serve the same purposes for native solutions such as C or C++-based products.

Do you think Apache Derby delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Apache Derby's feature set?

Yes

Did Apache Derby live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Apache Derby go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Apache Derby again?

Yes

If you need a SQL-capable database-like solution that is file-based and embeddable in your existing Java Virtual Machine processes, Apache Derby is an open-source, zero cost, robust and performant option. You can use it to store structured relational data but in small files that can be deployed right alongside with your solution, such as storing a set of relational master data or configuration settings inside your binary package that is deployed/installed on servers or client machines.

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