This guide walks you through integrating a Microsoft SQL Server database with a Java application on a Windows system using JDBC (Java Database Connectivity). Assuming you’ve already installed the necessary tools (JDK 8+, SQL Server Express, SSMS, JDBC Driver, and an IDE like IntelliJ IDEA), this tutorial starts with configuring SQL Server and progresses to connecting it with a Java program. Screenshots clarify each step, and troubleshooting tips help resolve common issues. Let’s get started!

Prerequisites

Before proceeding, ensure you have the following installed:

Java Development Kit (JDK): JDK 8 or higher. Download JDK.
SQL Server: Microsoft SQL Server (Express edition is free). Download SQL Server.
SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS): For database management. Download SSMS.
JDBC Driver for SQL Server: Official driver from Microsoft. Download JDBC Driver.
IDE: IntelliJ IDEA or another Java IDE.

If you’ve already installed these, proceed to the steps below.

Step 1: Set Up SQL Server

Enable TCP/IP in SQL Server Configuration Manager:
- Press the Windows key and search for SQL Server Configuration Manager.
- Open it and navigate to SQL Server Network Configuration > Protocols for SQLEXPRESS.
- Check if TCP/IP is disabled. If so, right-click and select Enable.
- Right-click TCP/IP, select Properties, and go to the IP Addresses tab.
- Scroll to IPAll and ensure the TCP Port is set to 1433 (default port).
- Click Apply and OK.
- Restart the SQL Server service: Navigate to SQL Server Services, right-click SQL Server (SQLEXPRESS), and select Restart.
Configure SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS):
- Open SSMS and connect to your SQL Server instance with these settings:
  - Server Name: localhost\SQLEXPRESS
  - Authentication: Windows Authentication
  - Trust Server Certificate: Check this box
  - Encrypt Connection: Optional
- Click Connect.

Create a Database and Table:

In SSMS, create a database named TestDB and a table named Users using this SQL script:

  CREATE DATABASE TestDB;
  GO
  USE TestDB;
  CREATE TABLE Users (
      Id INT PRIMARY KEY IDENTITY(1,1),
      Name NVARCHAR(50),
      Email NVARCHAR(100)
  );
  INSERT INTO Users (Name, Email) VALUES ('Rehan Shafiq', 'rehan.codecraft@gmail.com');

Step 2: Configure the JDBC Driver

Locate the JDBC Driver:
- If not already downloaded, get the Microsoft JDBC Driver from Microsoft’s JDBC Driver page.
- Extract the file and locate the .jar file (e.g., mssql-jdbc-12.8.1.jre8.jar for JDK 8).
Add the Driver to Your Project:
- In IntelliJ IDEA:
  - Go to File > Project Structure > Libraries.
  - Click +, select Java, and choose the .jar file.
  - Click Apply and OK.

Add JDBC Driver

Select JAR File

JDBC Driver Added

Step 3: Create a Java Project and Write Connection Code

Set Up a New Java Project:
- Open IntelliJ IDEA and create a new Java project.
- Ensure the JDBC driver is included in the project’s libraries (from Step 2).

Write the Connection Code:

Create a new Java class (e.g., SqlServerConnection.java) and add the following code to connect to the SQL Server database and retrieve data from the Users table:

  import java.sql.Connection;
  import java.sql.DriverManager;
  import java.sql.ResultSet;
  import java.sql.Statement;

  public class SqlServerConnection {
      public static void main(String[] args) {
          String url = "jdbc:sqlserver://localhost:1433;databaseName=TestDB;encrypt=true;trustServerCertificate=true";

          try {
                  Class.forName("com.microsoft.sqlserver.jdbc.SQLServerDriver");
                  Connection conn = DriverManager.getConnection(url, user, password);
                  System.out.println("Connected Successfully");

          } catch (Exception e) {
              e.printStackTrace();
          }
      }
  }

Replace TestDB in the url with your actual database name.
Replace YourPasswordHere with the sa account password set during SQL Server installation.

Step 4: Test the Connection

Run the Java program in IntelliJ IDEA.
If successful, the console should output:
```
 Connected Successfully
```
Screenshot Placeholder: Include a screenshot of the console output showing the successful connection and retrieved data.
If errors occur, refer to the troubleshooting section below.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Connection Refused:
- Ensure SQL Server is running and TCP/IP is enabled in SQL Server Configuration Manager.
- Verify the server name (localhost\SQLEXPRESS) and port (1433) in the connection URL.
- Check if the Windows Firewall allows connections on port 1433.
Driver Not Found:
- Verify the JDBC driver .jar file is correctly added to your project’s library or classpath.

For detailed troubleshooting, refer to Microsoft’s JDBC documentation.

Additional Tips

Security: Avoid using the sa account in production. Create a dedicated SQL Server user with limited permissions.
Connection String Options: Use encrypt=true;trustServerCertificate=true for secure connections. Adjust based on your environment.

Feel free to share your experiences or ask questions in the comments below. Happy coding!

A Step-by-Step Guide to Integrating SQL Server with Java on Windows