STEP 1 - import sql package
import java.sql.*; // This import is required for all JDBC programming.

STEP 2 - place database specific sql/jdbc implementation in CLASSPATH
  Mysql example:
    org.gjt.mm.mysql.*;


STEP 3 - form a connectstring
  Mysql example:
    jdbc:mysql://MACHINENAME:3306//DATABASENAME?user=username&password=apassword


STEP 4 - connect to database
  private static Connection con;
  try{
    Class.forName("org.gjt.mm.mysql.Driver").newInstance();
    con = DriverManager.getConnection("jdbc:mysql://MACHINENAME:3306//DATABASENAME?user=username&password=apassword");
  } catch( Exception e){
    System.out.println("Connection NOK - exception thrown" );
    e.printStackTrace();
  } catch( Throwable t){
     System.out.println("Connection NOK - throwable thrown" );
    t.printStackTrace();
  }