# Using the databaseName attribute

You can use a databaseName attribute on a database connection URL to specify the name of the database to which you want to connect.

    jdbc:derby:;databaseName=databaseName

You can access read-only databases in jar or zip files by specifying `jar` as the subsubprotocol, like this:

    jdbc:derby:jar:(pathToArchive)databasePathWithinArchive

Or, if the jar or zip file has been included in the classpath, like this:

    jdbc:derby:/databasePathWithinArchive

Parent topic: Working with the database connection URL attributes
Related tasks
Shutting down Derby or an individual database
Creating and accessing a database
Providing a user name and password
Encrypting a database when you create it
Booting an encrypted database
Specifying attributes in a properties object