Set the default loadBalance to LoadBalanceType.FALSE

gradle.properties

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ kotlin.parallel.tasks.in.project=true
 # This is version for PgJdbc itself
 # Note: it should not include "-SNAPSHOT" as it is automatically added by build.gradle.kts
 # Release version can be generated by using -Prelease or -Prc=<int> arguments
-pgjdbc.version=42.3.5-yb-7
+pgjdbc.version=42.3.5-yb-8
 
 # The options below configures the use of local clone (e.g. testing development versions)
 # You can pass un-comment it, or pass option -PlocalReleasePlugins, or -PlocalReleasePlugins=<path>

pgjdbc/src/main/java/com/yugabyte/ysql/ClusterAwareLoadBalancer.java

@@ -37,7 +37,11 @@ public int getRefreshListSeconds() {
   protected int refreshListSeconds = LoadBalanceProperties.DEFAULT_REFRESH_INTERVAL;
 
   public ClusterAwareLoadBalancer(LoadBalanceService.LoadBalanceType lb, int refreshInterval) {
-    this.loadBalance = lb;
+    if (lb != null) {
+      this.loadBalance = lb;
+    } else {
+      this.loadBalance = LoadBalanceType.FALSE;
+    }
     this.refreshListSeconds = refreshInterval;
   }
 

pgjdbc/src/main/java/com/yugabyte/ysql/LoadBalanceProperties.java

@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ public class LoadBalanceProperties {
       new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
   private final String originalUrl;
   private final Properties originalProperties;
-  private LoadBalanceService.LoadBalanceType loadBalance;
+  private LoadBalanceService.LoadBalanceType loadBalance = LoadBalanceService.LoadBalanceType.FALSE;
   private final String ybURL;
   private String placements = null;
   private int refreshInterval = -1;

pgjdbc/src/main/java/com/yugabyte/ysql/TopologyAwareLoadBalancer.java

@@ -57,7 +57,11 @@ public class TopologyAwareLoadBalancer implements LoadBalancer {
   private byte requestFlags;
 
   public TopologyAwareLoadBalancer(LoadBalanceType lb, String placementValues, boolean onlyExplicitFallback) {
-    loadBalance = lb;
+    if (lb != null) {
+      loadBalance = lb;
+    } else {
+      loadBalance = LoadBalanceType.FALSE;
+    }
     placements = placementValues;
     explicitFallbackOnly = onlyExplicitFallback;
     refreshIntervalSeconds = Integer.getInteger(REFRESH_INTERVAL_KEY, DEFAULT_REFRESH_INTERVAL);