Accessing the development database directly

You can access the development database while the test server is running or idle.

Procedure

WebSphere Commerce Test Server is running:
For all development database types, to issue SQL statements against the WebSphere Commerce development database while the WebSphere Commerce Test Server is running, use the following URL from the same machine that is running WebSphere Commerce Developer:
```
http://localhost/webapp/wcs/admin/servlet/db.jsp
```
This URL will provide an entry field where you can issue SQL statements that will run against your development database. This URL works for any valid development database type.
You can also use native database tools to access the database, for example a DB2 command window.
WebSphere Commerce Test Server is not running:
Use native database tools to access the database, for example a DB2 command window.

To issue SQL statements against the WebSphere Commerce development database when the WebSphere Commerce Test Server is not running, use the ij.bat utility to start an SQL session:
1. Start a command prompt session.
2. Navigate to the WCDE_installdir\bin directory.
3. Issue the following command to start an SQL session:
```
ij.bat
```
4. Issue the following command to connect to the WebSphere Commerce database:
```
connect '..\db\mall'; 
```
  You can now issue SQL statements that will run against your development database. Ensure that you end each of your SQL statements with a semicolon.
5. To end your session, issue the following command: exit;
Note: Only one process at a time can connect to the database. Therefore, you must ensure that the WebSphere Commerce Test Server is stopped before beginning an ij.bat session and, conversely, that the ij.bat session is ended before starting the WebSphere Commerce Test Server.