An application component uses a connection factory to access a connection instance, which the component then uses to connect to the underlying enterprise information system (EIS).

Examples of connections include database connections, Java Message Service connections, and SAP R/3 connections.

Related concepts
Resource adapter

Related tasks
Configuring data access with scripting
Creating and configuring a JDBC provider and data source using the Java Management Extensions API
Configuring connection factories for resource adapters within applications
Configuring J2EE Connector connection factories in the administrative console
Assembling data access applications
Accessing data using J2EE Connector Architecture