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URL: https://www.cdata.com/kb/tech/adobetarget-jdbc-setup.rst

⇱ Getting Started with the CData JDBC Driver for Adobe Target


Getting Started with the CData JDBC Driver for Adobe Target

Complete guide to installing, licensing, and connecting with the CData JDBC Driver for Adobe Target.


This guide walks you through everything you need to get started with the CData JDBC driver for Adobe Target. You'll learn how to install and license the driver, configure your first connection, and explore next steps for working with Adobe Target data in your Java applications.

Installation & Licensing

Installing the Driver

  1. Download the JDBC driver installer from the CData site.
  2. Run the installer and follow the installation wizard.
  3. The driver will be installed to the following location: C:\Program Files\CData\CData JDBC Driver for Adobe Target 20xx\lib\
  4. The JAR file will be named: cdata.jdbc.adobetarget.jar

Once installed, you can add the JAR file to your Java project's classpath using your IDE or build tool.


Activating Your License

You should have received your license key via email from the CData Orders Team. The alphanumeric license key should take the following format:

XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX
Windows

On Windows, the primary licensing method is via license file. When you install the JDBC driver, a license file is automatically created and stored with the driver installation. The driver will automatically detect and use this license file when the JAR is loaded in your application.

If you need to manually activate or update your license:

  1. Locate the license file in your installation directory.
  2. Update the license file with your license key.
  3. The driver will automatically use the updated license on the next connection.
macOS/Linux

Navigate to the JAR's installation directory and in the lib folder run the following command: java -jar cdata.jdbc.adobetarget.jar --license

Follow the prompts to enter your license key. This will create a license file in the installation directory that the driver will use for licensing validation.

For detailed license file configuration instructions, refer to the Licensing section under the Getting Started sub-page in the help documentation.


Common Licensing Questions

Can I use my license on multiple machines?
Yes, depending on your subscription tier. Check your order confirmation or contact your account representative for details. If you are unsure of who your account representative is, contact [email protected].

I lost my license key. How do I retrieve it?
Email [email protected] with your order number, and we'll resend your license key.

Can I transfer my license to a different machine?
Yes. When transferring the license to a different machine, you will need to submit a License Transfer Request on our site linked below:

https://www.cdata.com/lic/transfer/

After the License Transfer Request is submitted and successfully processed, an activation will be added to your Product Key and you will be able to activate the full license on the other machine. Once this process is finished, the license on the previous machine will be invalid.

When should I use RTK instead of the license file?
Use RTK when deploying to environments where the machine/node ID changes dynamically, such as containers, cloud instances, or when distributing your application to multiple machines.

For additional licensing questions, contact [email protected]. Viewing and upgrading your license can now be done through our self-service portal at portal.cdata.com.


Connection Configuration

Once your driver is installed and licensed, you're ready to configure a connection to Adobe Target. JDBC connections are established using a connection URL (also called a connection string).

Understanding JDBC Connection URLs

JDBC connection URLs for CData drivers follow this pattern:

jdbc:adobetarget:Tenant=mycompanyname;InitiateOAuth=GETANDREFRESH;

Building Your Connection URL

Recommended: Use the Built-in Connection String Designer

The JDBC driver includes a connection string designer tool that helps you build the correct JDBC URL with all required connection properties.

To launch the Connection String Designer:
  1. Navigate to the driver installation directory: C:\Program Files\CData\CData JDBC Driver for Adobe Target 20xx\lib\
  2. Double-click the JAR file: cdata.jdbc.adobetarget.jar
    OR
    Run from the command line: java -jar cdata.jdbc.adobetarget.jar
  3. The Connection String Designer will open.
  4. Fill in your connection properties in the provided fields.
  5. Click Test Connection to verify your settings.
  6. Copy the generated JDBC URL from the designer.
👁 Using the built-in connection string designer to generate a JDBC URL (Salesforce is shown.)

The Connection String Designer ensures correct syntax and shows all available connection properties for Adobe Target.

Driver Class Name

When configuring the JDBC driver in IDEs (such as IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, or DBeaver) or other tools, you will need to specify the driver class name:

cdata.jdbc.adobetarget.AdobeTargetDriver

Configuring Connection Properties

The specific connection properties required depend on your data source.

To connect to Adobe Target, you must provide the Tenant property along with OAuth connection properties mentioned below. Note that while other connection properties can influence processing behavior, they do not affect the ability to connect.

To determine your Tenant name:

  1. Log in to Adobe Experience. The URL will look similar to: "https://experience.adobe.com/#/@mycompanyname/preferences/general-section".
  2. Extract the value after the "/#/@". In this example, it is "mycompanyname".
  3. Set the Tenant connection property to that value.

User Accounts (OAuth)

You must set AuthScheme to OAuthClient for all user account flows.

Note: Adobe authentication via OAuth requires updating your token every two weeks.

All Applications

CData provides an embedded OAuth application that simplifies OAuth authentication. Alternatively, you can create a custom OAuth application. Review Creating a Custom OAuth App in the Help documentation for more information.

Obtaining the OAuth Access Token

Set the following properties to connect:

  • InitiateOAuth: Set to GETANDREFRESH to automatically perform the OAuth exchange and refresh the OAuthAccessToken as needed.
  • OAuthClientId : Set to the client Id assigned when you registered your app.
  • OAuthClientSecret : Set to the client secret assigned when you registered your app.
  • CallbackURL : Set to the redirect URI defined when you registered your app. For example: https://localhost:3333

With these settings, the provider obtains an access token from Adobe Target, which it uses to request data. The OAuth values are stored in the location specified by OAuthSettingsLocation, ensuring they persist across connections.

For complete information on all available connection properties for Adobe Target, refer to the Establishing a Connection section in the help documentation.


Testing Your Connection

You can test your connection in several ways:

In the Connection String Designer

Click the Test Connection button after entering your properties. A successful test confirms your credentials and connection settings are correct.

In Your Application

If the application requires you to move the driver JAR to a specific location, do so now and ensure the JAR is included in your application's classpath. Also, ensure that the .lic file is also moved to the same location for licensing validation purposes.

Note: Many JDBC Connected tools, like DBeaver, do not actually send a live request to the provider when using their Test Connection functionality. It only does a surface test, which essentially just checks that the JAR file functions at a base level. When using a JDBC connected tool, the ConnectOnOpen property should be set to True to ensure a valid Test Connection.

If you are working with the JDBC driver in your IDE, you can execute a simple query to verify the connection:

import java.sql.Connection; 
import java.sql.DriverManager;
import java.sql.ResultSet;
import java.sql.Statement;

String url = "jdbc:adobetarget:Tenant=mycompanyname;InitiateOAuth=GETANDREFRESH;
Connection conn = DriverManager.getConnection(url);
Statement stmt = conn.createStatement();
ResultSet rs = stmt.executeQuery("SELECT * FROM Activities LIMIT 1");

if (rs.next()) {
 System.out.println("Connection successful!");
}


If you encounter connection errors:

  1. Verify that your connection properties are correct using the Connection String Designer.
  2. Check that the driver JAR is in your application's classpath.
  3. Review the error message for specific guidance.
  4. Contact [email protected] with the error details for troubleshooting assistance.

Common Connection Issues

Driver Not Found / ClassNotFoundException

Solution: Ensure the JDBC driver JAR (cdata.jdbc.adobetarget.jar) is properly added to your project's classpath. The configuration method varies by IDE and build tool. Refer to your development environment's documentation or contact [email protected] for assistance.

Authentication Errors

Solution: Verify that your credentials are correct and current. Use the Connection String Designer to test your credentials before adding them to your application. For specific authentication requirements for Adobe Target, consult the Establishing a Connection section in the help documentation.

Network Connectivity Issues

Solution: Ensure that your firewall allows outbound connections on the required ports. Contact [email protected] for specific port and firewall requirements for your data source.

Invalid Connection String Format

Solution: Use the Connection String Designer to generate a properly formatted JDBC URL. The designer ensures correct syntax and property names.

For additional troubleshooting, contact [email protected] with your specific error message.


What's Next

Now that you have installed, licensed, and configured the driver, here are some scenarios you can use to explore our JDBC Drivers:

JDBC ClientArticle Title
Aqua Data StudioConnect to Adobe Target in Aqua Data Studio
AWS DatabricksProcess & Analyze Adobe Target Data in Databricks (AWS)
BirstBuild Visualizations of Adobe Target in Birst
BIRTDesign BIRT Reports on Adobe Target
FineReportFeed Adobe Target into FineReport
JasperServerCreate Adobe Target Reports on JasperReports Server
Jaspersoft BI SuiteConnect to Adobe Target in Jaspersoft Studio
JReport DesignerIntegrate with Adobe Target in JReport Designer
KNIMEEnable the Adobe Target JDBC Driver in KNIME
MicroStrategyUse the CData JDBC Driver for Adobe Target in MicroStrategy
Microstrategy DesktopUse the CData JDBC Driver for Adobe Target in MicroStrategy Desktop
Microstrategy WebUse the CData JDBC Driver for Adobe Target in MicroStrategy Web
OBIEEAdobe Target Reporting in OBIEE with the Adobe Target JDBC Driver
Pentaho Report DesignerIntegrate Adobe Target in the Pentaho Report Designer
RAnalyze Adobe Target in R (JDBC)
RapidMinerConnect to Adobe Target in RapidMiner
SAP Business ObjectsCreate an SAP BusinessObjects Universe on the CData JDBC Driver for Adobe Target
SAP Crystal ReportsPublish Reports with Adobe Target in Crystal Reports (JDBC)
SisenseVisualize Live Adobe Target in Sisense
Spago BIConnect to Adobe Target in SpagoBI
TIBCO Spotfire ServerOperational Reporting on Adobe Target from Spotfire Server
Apache SolrImport Adobe Target Data into Apache Solr
Coginiti ProAccess Live Adobe Target Data in Coginiti Pro
DataGripQeury Adobe Target Data in DataGrip
DB ArtisanManage Adobe Target in DBArtisan as a JDBC Source
DBeaverConnect to Adobe Target in DBeaver
DbVisualizerConnect to Adobe Target in DBVisualizer
Informatica Enterprise Data CatalogAdd Adobe Target to Informatica Enterprise Data Catalog
QuerySurgeValidate Adobe Target Data with QuerySurge
RazorSQLConnect to Adobe Target in RazorSQL
SQuirreLConnect to Adobe Target in Squirrel SQL Client
AWS LambdaAccess Live Adobe Target Data in AWS Lambda
Apache SparkWork with Adobe Target in Apache Spark Using SQL
ColdFusionQuery Adobe Target in ColdFusion Using JDBC
Filemaker Pro (on Mac)Bidirectional Access to Adobe Target from FileMaker Pro (on Mac)
HibernateObject-Relational Mapping (ORM) with Adobe Target Entities in Java
IntelliJConnect to Adobe Target in IntelliJ
JBossConnect to Adobe Target from a Connection Pool in JBoss
JDBICreate a Data Access Object for Adobe Target using JDBI
JetBrains RubyMineIntegrate Adobe Target with JetBrains RubyMine
JRubyConnect to Adobe Target in JRuby
MendixBuild Adobe Target-Connected Apps in Mendix (JDBC)
RunMyProcess DSECConnect to Adobe Target in DigitalSuite Studio through RunMyProcess DSEC
ServoyBuild Adobe Target-Connected Apps in Servoy
Spring BootAccess Live Adobe Target Data in Spring Boot Apps
TomcatConfigure the CData JDBC Driver for Adobe Target in a Connection Pool in Tomcat
WebLogicConnect to Adobe Target from a Connection Pool in WebLogic
APOS Live Data GatewayBuild Semantic Layer Views for Adobe Target (JDBC)
DenodoCreate A Data Source for Adobe Target in Denodo Platform
DremioConnect to Adobe Target as an External Source in Dremio
PostgreSQL FDWA PostgreSQL Interface for Adobe Target
Apache AirflowBridge Adobe Target Connectivity with Apache Airflow
Apache CamelIntegrate with Adobe Target using Apache Camel
Apache NiFiBridge Adobe Target Connectivity with Apache NiFi
CloverDXConnect to Adobe Target in CloverDX (formerly CloverETL)
ETL ValidatorHow to Work with Adobe Target in ETL Validator
Google Data FusionBuild Adobe Target-Connected ETL Processes in Google Data Fusion
HULFT IntegrateConnect to Adobe Target in HULFT Integrate
Informatica CloudIntegrate Adobe Target in Your Informatica Cloud Instance
Informatica PowerCenterCreate Informatica Mappings From/To a JDBC Data Source for Adobe Target
Jaspersoft ETLConnect to Adobe Target in Jaspersoft Studio
Oracle Data IntegratorETL Adobe Target in Oracle Data Integrator
Pentaho Data IntegrationIntegrate Adobe Target in Pentaho Data Integration
SnapLogicIntegrate Adobe Target with External Services using SnapLogic (JDBC)
TalendConnect to Adobe Target and Transfer Data in Talend
MuleSoft AnypointAccess Adobe Target in Anypoint Using SQL

Get Support

If you need assistance at any point:


FAQs


Installation & Licensing

  • Where is the JDBC driver installed?
    The default installation directories are the following:
    Windows: C:\Program Files\CData\CData JDBC Driver for Adobe Target
  • How do I retrieve my license key?
    Your license key is sent via email when you purchase. If you need it resent, contact [email protected] with your order number.
  • Can I use my license across multiple applications?
    Yes. The license file works across all your Java applications on your machine that use the driver.
  • When should I use RTK (Runtime Key)?
    Use RTK when deploying to environments where machine/node IDs change dynamically: containers (Docker/Kubernetes), cloud instances, or when distributing your application across multiple machines. If you require an RTK, reach out to your Account Representative.

Connecting

  • How do I build a JDBC connection URL?
    Use the built-in Connection String Designer tool. Double-click the driver JAR or run java -jar cdata.jdbc.adobetarget.jar to launch the designer. It will help you build a properly formatted connection URL.
  • What is the driver class name?
    The driver class follows this pattern: cdata.jdbc.adobetarget.AdobeTargetDriver
    You'll need this when configuring the driver in IDEs like IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, or DBeaver.
  • What connection properties does Adobe Target require?
    Refer to the Establishing a Connection section in the help documentation for complete details on required and optional connection properties for Adobe Target. The Connection String Designer also shows all available properties.
  • How do I connect to multiple Adobe Target accounts?
    Create separate connection URLs with different authentication credentials for each account. You can manage multiple connections in your application.
  • How do I store credentials securely?
    Use environment variables, configuration files, or secrets management systems (like AWS Secrets Manager or Azure Key Vault). Never hardcode credentials in your source code.

Usage & Development

  • Which SQL operations are supported?
    Refer to the SQL Compliance chapter in the help documentation for the complete list of supported SQL operations.
  • Can I use the driver in a multi-threaded application?
    Yes. Follow standard JDBC best practices for thread safety. Use connection pooling for concurrent access.
  • How do I add the driver to my IDE?
    Add the JAR file (cdata.jdbc.adobetarget.jar) to your project's classpath. Refer to your IDE's documentation for adding external JARs. The driver class name is: cdata.jdbc.adobetarget.AdobeTargetDriver

Performance & Troubleshooting

  • Why are my queries slow?
    Check the following:
    • Use connection pooling.
    • Add filters (WHERE clauses) to reduce result set size.
    • Contact [email protected] for query optimization assistance.
  • How do I enable logging for troubleshooting?
    Add logging properties to your connection string or configure logging in your application by setting the Logfile property to a valid file path and the Verbosity property to a desired logging level (we typically recommmend setting Verbosity=3 to capture http requests and responses). Refer to the Advanced Features section of the help documentation for logging configuration details. Contact [email protected] for troubleshooting assistance.
  • What firewall ports need to be open?
    Port requirements vary by data source. Most cloud applications use HTTPS (port 443). Refer to the Advanced Features section of the help documentation for Firewall & Proxy configuration if needed. Contact [email protected] for specific firewall requirements for Adobe Target.
  • How do I deploy the driver in Docker?
    Include the driver JAR in your Docker image and use RTK (Runtime Key) for licensing in your connection string. This handles dynamic container node IDs.
  • I'm getting ClassNotFoundException. How do I fix it?
    This means the driver JAR is not in your classpath. Verify the JAR file location and ensure it's added to your project's classpath in your IDE or build configuration.

General

  • Where can I find the help documentation?
    The help documentation is installed with the driver in the installation directory and is also available on the CData website.
  • How often is the driver updated?
    CData releases major version updates for our drivers annually. Check your account portal or contact [email protected] for the latest version.
  • Do you offer code examples for specific use cases?
    Yes. The help documentation includes numerous code examples. Contact [email protected] if you need examples for a specific scenario.

For questions not covered in this FAQ, contact [email protected].