How to Retrieve the Database URL from a `java.sql.Connection` Instance?

How can I extract the database URL being used by a `java.sql.Connection` instance?

// Example code to retrieve database URL
Connection conn = DriverManager.getConnection(url, username, password);
String databaseUrl = conn.getMetaData().getURL();

To get the database URL that a `java.sql.Connection` instance uses, you can make use of the `getMetaData()` method available on the `Connection` object. This method returns a `DatabaseMetaData` object that provides various metadata related to the database, including the connection URL.

Connection conn = DriverManager.getConnection(url, username, password);
DatabaseMetaData metaData = conn.getMetaData();
String databaseUrl = metaData.getURL();
System.out.println("Database URL: " + databaseUrl);

Causes

• The database URL is essential for debugging connection issues or for logging purposes.
• It's a common requirement when you need to confirm the exact database you are connected to.

Solutions

• Call the method `getMetaData()` on your `Connection` instance and then call `getURL()` on the returned `DatabaseMetaData` object to retrieve the database URL.

Mistake: Assuming you can get the URL from `Connection.getClientInfo()` method.

Solution: `getClientInfo()` provides client-specific information, not the database URL.

Mistake: Not handling exceptions when obtaining metadata.

Solution: Always wrap your database operations in try-catch blocks to handle potential SQL exceptions.