How to Inspect In-Memory HSQLDB While Debugging Java Applications?

How can I inspect an in-memory HSQLDB database while debugging a Java application?

Inspecting an in-memory HSQLDB database can significantly aid debugging Java applications by allowing developers to validate data states and query flows during runtime. This process involves configuring the HSQLDB to expose its data through accessible methods during debugging sessions.

// Establish a connection to in-memory HSQLDB for debugging
driver = "org.hsqldb.jdbcDriver";
jdbcUrl = "jdbc:hsqldb:mem:testdb";
connection = DriverManager.getConnection(jdbcUrl, "SA", "");  
// Execute a simple query to inspect data
displayQueryResults("SELECT * FROM your_table_name");

Causes

• HSQLDB running in-memory may not retain data across application restarts.
• Lack of proper logging may hinder visibility into database states.
• Incorrect JDBC configurations can prevent proper data inspection.

Solutions

• Use the HSQLDB's built-in SQL commands to extract data while the application is running.
• Enable logging features in HSQLDB to track SQL statements and their results.
• Consider using the HSQLDB Manager tool to connect and inspect the database visually.

Mistake: Not using the correct JDBC URL for in-memory databases.

Solution: Ensure that your JDBC URL is set to 'jdbc:hsqldb:mem:yourDBName'.

Mistake: Failing to close database connections properly during debugging.

Solution: Always close connections in a finally block or use try-with-resources.

Mistake: Ignoring error messages from HSQLDB during queries.

Solution: Pay attention to console error outputs to identify SQL syntax issues or connection problems.