JET: 'Joint Engine Technology'.

COM was modeled after OMG's CORBA... Here is more...

Here is some sample code that uses the JDBC API:

After we create a connection, we can create a statement, execute a query, get back a result set and iterate through it:

Here is a complete example.

Why? One word: "e-Commerce" :)

Here is Perl 'CGI' script to interface w/ a DB.

Here are notes on using CORBA to interface a webserver with a DB. These can also be used: JSP, ASP.

In addition to CGI scripts and APIs, server side includes (SSIs) can also be used for DB connectivity.

As an FYI note, Java provides very many ways to connect a client to a DB via a webserver: applets, sockets, servlets, RMI, CORBA, agents..

A 'web application server' is a specialized server that interfaces with web services such as databases, search engines. The client (eg browser) can query these data sources and have results generated dynamically.

Examples of web application servers: WebLogic, ColdFusion/JRun, WebSphere Application Server, WebObjects, IIS, WildFly (JBoss), Tomcat, Jetty..

Each web application server (WAS) offers its own programming environment. Eg. CFML can be used to consume web services and present results for the end user (likewise for DB result sets).