# Connect command

#### Syntax

    CONNECT ConnectionURLString [ PROTOCOL Identifier ]
        [ AS Identifier ] [ USER String
         PASSWORD String ]

#### Description

Connects to the database indicated by the ConnectionURLString. Specifically, takes the value of the string (the database connection URL) and issues a `getConnection` request using `java.sql.DriverManager` or a `javax.sql.DataSource` implementation (see the ij.dataSource property) to set the current connection to that database connection URL.

You have the option of specifying a name for your connection. Use the Set Connection command to switch between connections. If you do not name a connection, the system generates a name automatically.

You also have the option of specifying a named protocol previously created with the Protocol command or the ij.protocol.protocolName property.

If the connection requires a user name and password, supply those with the optional user and password parameters.

If the connect succeeds, the connection becomes the current one and ij displays a new prompt for the next command to be entered. If you have more than one open connection, the name of the connection appears in the prompt.

All further commands are processed against the new, current connection.

#### Example

    ij> connect 'jdbc:derby:menuDB;create=true';
    ij> -- we create a new table in menuDB:
    CREATE TABLE menu(course CHAR(10), item CHAR(20), price INTEGER);
    ij> protocol 'jdbc:derby:';
    ij> connect 'sample' as sample1;
    ij(SAMPLE1)> connect 'newDB;create=true' as newDB;
    ij(NEWDB)> show connections;
    CONNECTION0 - jdbc:derby:menuDB
    NEWDB* - jdbc:derby:anotherDB
    SAMPLE1 - jdbc:derby:newDB
    ij>
    ij> connect 'jdbc:derby:sample' user 'sa' password 'cloud3x9';
    ij>

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