# Accessing databases within a jar file using the classpath

Once an archive containing one or more Derby databases has been created it can be placed in the classpath. This allows access to a database from within an application without the application's knowing the path of the archive.

When jar or zip files are part of the classpath, you specify the classpath subsubprotocol instead of the jar subsubprotocol to connect to them.

To access a database in a zip or jar file in the classpath:

1. Set the classpath to include the jar or zip file before starting up Derby:

       CLASSPATH="C:\dbs.jar;%CLASSPATH%"

2. Connect to a database within the jar or zip file with the following connection URL:

       jdbc:derby:classpath:databasePathWithinArchive

For example:

    jdbc:derby:classpath:products/boiledfood

Parent topic: Creating Derby databases for read-only use