SQL Workbench/J needs a Java 5 runtime environment (Java 6 is recommended). You have to install the JDK or JRE before you can run SQL Workbench/J.

After downloading SQL Workbench/J, unzip the archive into a directory of your choice. The application is now ready to be run.

If you are using Windows® you can use the supplied sqlworkbench.exe executable to start the application.

Windows Vista users please read this.

If you are running Linux (or another Unix® like operating system) you can use the supplied shell script sqlworkbench.sh to start the application.

SQL Workbench/J is a Java application that is contained in the file sqlworkbench.jar This is a self executable JAR file that can also be started by double clicking on it, provided that the Java Runtime Environment (JRE/JDK) is installed properly and the jar extension is registered within the system.

After a first time installation, you will need to configure the JDBC drivers to be used with the application. The location of the driver libraries can be specified using the "File->Manage drivers" menu item. This dialog is also available from the connection dialog. Once you have specified the location of the driver, select the driver from the drop down in the connection dialog and provide the necessary login information.

For further details, please refer to the manual