JDBC is a standard API for accessing SQL databases from Java programs. There are four types of JDBC drivers: Type 1 uses JDBC/ODBC bridge, Type 2 uses platform-specific APIs, Type 3 is 100% Java using network protocol, and Type 4 is also 100% Java and most efficient. Connector/J is a popular Type 4 driver for connecting Java to MySQL. To connect, import necessary classes, register the driver, get a connection, then create statements to execute queries or updates.