Java, MySQL: Is there a way to embed a MySQL server with a Java program?

Question

One thing I love about .NET is the ability to have a database file along with the project. I know that using a SQLite database, this can be done, but did someone achieve this with a MySQL database backend?

So for instance, if I run a java program, it should be able to start its own mini MySQL server and manipulate data. So essentially, I want the same flow as with a SQLite but I need the power of MySQL.

Answer 1

If you don't mind using MariaDB (the open source variant of MySQL, basically works the same) MariaDB4j can be the perfect option for production enviroments.

MariaDB4j is a Java (!) "launcher" for MariaDB (the "backward compatible, drop-in replacement of the MySQL(R) Database Server", see FAQ and Wikipedia), allowing you to use MariaDB (MySQL(R)) from Java without ANY installation / external dependencies. Read again: You do NOT have to have MariaDB binaries installed on your system to use MariaDB4j!

As it works completely without any requirements that have to be on the users' pc it is probably the best option to get MySQL embedded. Converting a project that doesn't use an Embedded database into MariaDB4j is as easy as calling:

DB db = DB.newEmbeddedDB(3306);

Read the github page for more information. Maven central dependency is:

<dependency>
    <groupId>ch.vorburger.mariaDB4j</groupId>
    <artifactId>mariaDB4j</artifactId>
    <version>2.2.3</version>
</dependency>

You can combine this with the newest driver to get access to all functionality of MySQL 8.0 (win64/win32=windows, mac64=macos, linux64=linux):

<dependency>
  <groupId>org.craftercms.mariaDB4j</groupId>
  <artifactId>mariaDB4j-db-win64</artifactId>
  <version>10.4.6.2</version>
</dependency>

If you do mind using MariaDB, another option is Wix Embedded MySQL.

Wix Embedded MySQL is a library that provides a way to run real MySql within integration tests.

Why?

• Your tests can run on production-like environments: match version, encoding, timezone, database/schema/user settings;
• Its easy, much easier than installing right version by hand;
• You can use different versions/configuration per project without any local set-up;
• Supports multiple platforms: Windows, Linux, and OSX;
• Provides constantly updated multiple versions of MySql - 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 8.0;
• Testing matrix for all supported OSes (x86/x64) and versions (5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 8.0).

Answer 2

A quick search shows this: MySQL Connector/MXJ — for embedding MySQL server in Java applications on the MySQL Downloads page at:

http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/