mysql-connector-j vs mysql-connector-java maven dependency differences

Question

What is difference between these two Maven dependencies for connecting to MySQL DB:

<dependency>
    <groupId>mysql</groupId>
    <artifactId>mysql-connector-java</artifactId>
</dependency>

and

<dependency>
    <groupId>com.mysql</groupId>
    <artifactId>mysql-connector-j</artifactId>
</dependency>

Answer 1

TL;DR

Use this

<dependency>
    <groupId>com.mysql</groupId>
    <artifactId>mysql-connector-j</artifactId>
</dependency>

MySQL renamed the connector:

• https://dev.mysql.com/doc/relnotes/connector-j/en/news-8-0-31.html

You should use MySQL Connector/J.

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If you are using the Spring-Boot-3.0 or above then you should use MySQL Connector/J.

The coordinates of the MySQL JDBC driver have changed from mysql:mysql-connector-java to com.mysql:mysql-connector-j. If you are using the MySQL JDBC driver, update its coordinates accordingly when upgrading to Spring Boot 3.0.

Source

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Also from the comment @Mar-Z provided this information:

The second one is the correct/current one. The first one is outdated. It will be updated on Maven but for a limited time only. Check here: MySQL Connector/J has new Maven Coordinates