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A Java Database Engine

InstantDB is a 100% Java, Relational Database Management System (RDBMS). It is free to non-commercial and non-government organisations. Features supported include joins, transactions, triggers, sub-selects, table aliasing and much, much more that you wouldn't normally expect to find in a free RDBMS.

Since its launch in July 1997, InstantDB has been adopted by thousands of internet and database developers around the world. It is small, efficient, easy to install, and comes with lots of examples to help get the novice developer started.

InstantDB is accessed via its own JDBC driver. By using standard SQL and Sun's JDBC API, InstantDB ensures that your applications enjoy a high degree of portability.

Please read the license agreement below (it's very short!) before downloading the zip file.


Downloads

Note - InstantDB's default recovery policy on startup has changed as of version 2.4. Please see the section on recovery policy for details.
  • Download the latest zip file (410k - includes documentation). This version is a JDK 1.1 compliant release and will not run on 1.02 or earlier JVMs.
  • Download version 1.7 to run on 1.02 environments (check the status to find bugs which have been fixed since 1.7 was released).
  • Download the documentation only (218k).

If you downloaded InstantDB from a freeware/shareware site then make sure you have the latest version by visiting http://www.instantdb.co.uk

IMPORTANT NOTE - If you are upgrading to InstantDB from a previous release then always make sure that all databases have been shut down cleanly before upgrading.


CocoBase Free

Applications often need to be able to save entire object trees to their database. These saved object trees then need to be queried using standard tools such as database controls or JDBC aware Java beans.

Mapping objects to RDBMS tables by hand has always been a cumbersome and error prone task. Now you can easily save your objects to InstantDB using Thought Inc.'s highly acclaimed CocoBase product. And best of all, this specially adapted version of CocoBase is entirely free.


InstantOnline

Many web sites need dynamic content based on user requests. Traditional CGI scripts are slow, innefficient and difficult to write. All of this is rapidly giving way to the more efficient and more powerful Java Serverlet based architecture.

Gefion Software's InstantOnline makes serverlet production easier still. With InstantOnline and InstantDB working together you'll be amazed how quickly you can build fast dynamic web sites.


License Agreement

This software is provided free to non profit making organisations, state funded educational and medical organisations, as well as to private individuals.

It is provided "as is" and comes with no warranty of any kind. ICS accepts no responsibility for any loss or corruption of data or any resulting interruption of business.

This software may be freely re-distributed. It may not be sold for profit either by itself or as part of any other program without the agreement of ICS. Freeware and shareware distributors are granted a specific right to distribute InstantDB, provided it is distributed in its entirety and in its original archive form.

Profit making and government organisations, including privately funded teaching and medical organisations, should contact ICS for information regarding the use of InstantDB in commercial environments. Check the commercial license agreement and fees payable for details.