# JDBC applications and Derby basics

This section describes the core Derby functionality. In addition, it details the most basic Derby deployment, Derby embedded in a Java application.

- Application development overview
  Derby application developers use the Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) API, the application programming interface that makes it possible to access relational databases from Java programs.
- Derby embedded basics
  This section explains how to use and configure Derby in an embedded environment.
- Using in-memory databases
  For testing and developing applications, or for processing transient or reproducible data, you can use Derby's in-memory database facility.
- Working with Derby properties
  This section describes how to use Derby properties.