What is the difference between a Statement and a PreparedStatement in JDBC?

In JDBC, both Statement and PreparedStatement are interfaces used to execute SQL queries, but there are some key differences between them:

• PreparedStatement:
  • Pre-compiled SQL query: PreparedStatement object is pre-compiled on creation, which improves performance when the query is executed multiple times.
  • Parameterized queries: PreparedStatement allows the use of placeholders for the query parameters, making it more secure against SQL injection attacks.
  • Batch updates: PreparedStatement supports batch updates, allowing multiple queries to be executed in a single call.
• Statement:
  • Dynamic SQL query: Statement executes SQL queries as strings, without pre-compilation, which can lead to performance overhead for frequently executed queries.
  • Less secure: Statement is more vulnerable to SQL injection attacks as it does not support parameterized queries.
  • No batch updates: Statement does not support batch updates, each query must be executed individually.

Overall, PreparedStatement is preferred over Statement for most JDBC operations due to its performance benefits and enhanced security features.