# Protocol command

The `Protocol` command specifies the protocol for establishing connections and automatically loads the appropriate driver.

Providing a protocol allows you to use a shortened database connection URL for connections. You can provide only the database name (and a subsubprotocol name if needed) instead of the full protocol. In addition, you do not need to use the `Driver` command or specify a driver at start-up, since the driver is loaded automatically.

## Syntax

    PROTOCOL String [ AS Identifier ]

The protocol specified by the String is the part of the database connection URL syntax appropriate for your environment, including the JDBC protocol and the protocol specific to Derby. For further information about the Derby database connection URL, see Database connection URLs. Only Derby protocols are supported. Those protocols are listed in ij.protocol property.

If you name the protocol by specifying an Identifier, you can refer to the protocol name in the `Connect` command.

## Examples

    ij> protocol 'jdbc:derby:';
    ij> connect 'sample';

    ij> protocol 'jdbc:derby:';
    ij> connect 'memory:sample;create=true';

    ij> protocol 'jdbc:derby:memory:';
    ij> connect 'sample;create=true';

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