# Connecting to databases outside the system directory

You can also connect to databases in other directories (including subdirectories of the system directory) by specifying a relative or absolute path name to identify the database. The way you specify an absolute path is defined by the host operating system.

Using the connection URL as described here, you can connect to databases in more than one directory at a time.

Two examples:

    jdbc:derby:../otherDirectory/myDB

    jdbc:derby:c:/otherDirectory/myDB

Note: Once connected, such a database becomes a part of the Derby system, even though it is not in the system directory. This means that it takes on the system-wide properties of the system and no other instance of Derby should access that database. It is recommended that you connect to databases only in the system directory.
Parent topic: Connecting to databases
Related concepts
Conventions for specifying the database path
Special database access
Connecting to databases within the system
Recommended practices
Related reference
Database connection examples