# Accessing databases from the classpath

In most cases, you access databases from the file system. However, it is also possible to access databases from the classpath. The databases can be archived into a jar or zip file or left as is.

All such databases are read-only.

To access an unarchived database from the classpath, use the classpath subsubprotocol.

For example, for a database called sample in C:\derby\demo\databases, you can put the C:\derby\demo\databases directory in the classpath and access sample like this:

    jdbc:derby:classpath:sample

If only C:\derby were in the classpath, you could access sample (read-only) like this:

    jdbc:derby:classpath:demo/databases/sample

Parent topic: Special database access
Related concepts
Accessing databases from a jar or zip file