management of database connectivity

[vradhik]

I am a newbie and i havent really read about the spring framework in detail. So if my question is a obvious or vague, pls excuse. If i use spring framework in my application, does it handle the database connectivity for the application? I have used hibernate earlier for this. Although it may not provide me ORM functionalities, will it give me other functionality like managing database connection, pool...etc?
Another question is, I heard/read somewhere that if spring framework is used in a web application, then it can also run as a standalone java application if needed. Is that right?

Thanks!

[kantorn]

Spring has a JDBC-module but I wouldn't call it ORM, its more of a wrapper framework that lets programmers focus on the code that really counts when it comes to JDBC. Spring also has extensive support for a number of ORM components; Hibernate, Toplink, iBatis etc.
No DB-pooling. Base rule is that Spring does not provide any functionality of its own, just (and thats not a tiny 'just') extensive and proven support for existing components.
Yes, you could use an application context in a stand-alone app. Its not tied to J2EE per se.

[vradhik]

Thanks a ton Kantorn ! Saved me some time.

[kantorn]

My pleasure.