Keep database connection alive

[major]

I'm developing a windows desktop (standalone) application which runs as an endless loop.
Once the application started, a database connection is created (java.sql.Connection) and from now on used to read data from the database.

Connection is created like this:
Class.forName("com.microsoft.sqlserver.jdbc.SQLSer verDriver");
Connection con = DriverManager.getConnection(connectionUrl);

Does the connection will be kept alive forever?
If NOT, what to change in my program?

[masijade]

Depends on what scope you are opening the connection in and how long you leave it idle.

[major]

By the way: My application is the only one to use this connection and perform step by step actions (sql queries). No use of threads.

I would like to know what to do in both cases:
1.connection needs to stay always opened
2.connection is left idle for 15 minutes.

[masijade]

1. Uhm, save the connection in a static context and open it only once, maybe (Edit: and a shutdown hook to close it properly, as well)?
2. Well, what are the "session/connection timeout" settings for the DB in question?

[major]

2. no session/connection timeout (should I define this?).
My program perform IO operations and web service calls also. so this operations may take additional time and meanwhile the connection is idle

[Tolls]

Since you'll have to handle the situation of a disconnect you may as well consider dealing with that from the start.

[masijade]

2. no session/connection timeout (should I define this?).

The MySQL default is 8 hours.

[major]

To summarize this issue: I don't need the added complexity of using connection pooling. If for some reason a failure happen, then just create a new one