Adding a README.md file

README.md

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+## MonetDB-java
+
+This repository contains the java source code of the official `MonetDB JDBC driver`,
+the `MonetDB JdbcClient program`, and some Java test and example programs.
+
+The master repository is: [hg monetdb-java](https://www.monetdb.org/hg/monetdb-java/file/tip).
+
+A read-only copy is available on: [github monetdb-java](https://github.com/MonetDB/monetdb-java).
+
+
+These Java programs are designed to work only with the [MonetDB Database System](https://www.monetdb.org/).
+They support MonetDB servers from version Jul2015 (11.21) and higher.
+However only the latest MonetDB server versions are tested actively.
+
+The `MonetDB JDBC driver` allows Java programs to connect to a MonetDB
+database server using standard, database independent Java code.  
+It is an open source JDBC driver implementing JDBC API 4.2, written in Pure Java (Type 4),
+and communicates in the MonetDB native network protocol.
+
+The sources are actively maintained by the MonetDB team at [MonetDB Solutions](https://www.monetdbsolutions.com/).
+
+The latest released jar files can be downloaded from [MonetDB Java Download Area](https://www.monetdb.org/downloads/Java/).
+
+## Tools
+To build the jar files yourself, you need `JDK 8` (or higher), `ant` and `make` tools installed.
+
+## Build Process
+To build, simply run `make` command from a shell.  
+See contents of `Makefile` for other `make` targets, such as `make test` or `make doc`.
+
+The `.class` files will be stored in the `build/` and `tests/build/` subdirectories.  
+The `.jar` files will be stored in the `jars/` subdirectory.
+
+By default debug symbols are **not** included in the compiled class and jar files.
+To include debug symbols, edit file `build.properties` change line `enable_debug=true` and rebuild.
+
+## Tests
+**Note** For the tests to succeed you first have to startup a MonetDB server (on localhost, port 50000).
+
+To test, simply run `make test` command from a shell.
+
+The `JdbcClient CLI program` (jdbcclient.jre8.jar) includes and uses the MonetDB JDBC driver,
+so it can also be used to test connectivity and sending SQL statements to a MonetDB server.
+
+The `JdbcClient CLI program` can be started via shell commands:
+```
+cd jars
+
+java -jar jdbcclient.jre8.jar
+```
+
+To get a list of JdbcClient startup options simply run:
+```
+java -jar jdbcclient.jre8.jar --help
+```
+
+See [JdbcClient doc](https://www.monetdb.org/documentation/user-guide/client-interfaces/jdbcclient/) for more info.
+
+## JDBC Driver
+The JDBC driver consists of one single jar file: `monetdb-jdbc-##.#.jre8.jar`.
+
+We recommend to always use the latest released jar file.
+The latest released JDBC driver can be downloaded from [MonetDB Java Download Area](https://www.monetdb.org/downloads/Java/).
+
+See [JDBC driver info](https://www.monetdb.org/documentation/user-guide/client-interfaces/libraries-drivers/jdbc-driver/) for more info.
+
+## Reporting issues
+Before reporting an issue, please check if you have used the latest released jar files.
+Some issues may already have been fixed in the latest released jar files.
+
+If you find a bug in the latest released jar files or have a request, please log it as an issue at:
+[github monetdb-java issues](https://github.com/MonetDB/monetdb-java/issues).
+
+Include which versions of the released JDBC driver and MonetDB server you are using and on which platforms.  
+For bugs also include a small standalone java reproduction program.
+
+**Note** we do not accept Pull requests on Github.
+
+## Copyright Notice
+SPDX-License-Identifier: MPL-2.0
+
+This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public  
+License, v. 2.0.  If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this  
+file, You can obtain one at http://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
+
+Copyright 2024 MonetDB Foundation;  
+Copyright August 2008 - 2023 MonetDB B.V.;  
+Copyright 1997 - July 2008 CWI.
+