DB2: Universal Database Certification Guide, 2nd edition
Authors: Calene Janacek, Dwayne Snow
Venue:  (1997)

From the Book:PREFACE: Foreword Since the publication of the first DB2 Certification Guide in 1996, thousands of readers have learned about DB2 Common Server and earned certification by taking the DB2 Database Administrators and DB2 Database Developers exams. With the introduction of DB2 Universal Database, the newest release of DB2 from IBM, we're pleased to provide a new, updated version of the DB2 Certification Guide. DB2 Universal Database (UDB) brings together the data management strengths and advanced SQL of DB2 Common Server Version 2 with the scalable parallelism of DB2 Parallel Edition Version 1. To this combination we've added new OLAP functions, enhanced performance, and a rich, integrated set of easy-to-use graphical tools. DB2 UDB is the industry's first multi-media, web-enabled database, that scales from PCs to UNIX platforms, from single-processor machines to SMPs and MPPs, and supports applications from transaction processing to business intelligence. Businesses today are reaching for extraordinary results in everything they do, in market effectiveness, customer service, product development, quality and logistics. Business Intelligence solutions including data marts, data warehouses and data mining supported by online transaction systems, deliver knowledge to business professionals, and allow better decisions to be made, faster. The role of the trained database professional remains vital to business success, and the shortage of available skills provides opportunities for those who keep current on the latest technological advancements. This Certification Guide provides the reader with an understanding of the function and tools supported by UDB, andhowto use them to do multi-dimensional analysis, to support non-traditional content, or to write an application intended to deliver information over the internet. It gives tips for tuning applications to run their best when using multiple processors, or large memories, or when supporting thousands of users. The reader will learn how to use the new Control Center to define the structure of a database, to view the access plan for SQL using visual explain, and to monitor the execution of an application. The Certification Guide was designed to help you keep current, and to prepare you to meet the needs of your customers and users, within business of all sizes. You'll find the self-study design lets you proceed at your own pace, while learning the material necessary to complete the formal certification exams for a DB2 Database Administrator or DB2 Database Developer. As the importance of data to businesses grows, and as increasingly the responsibility for keeping technical skills current rests with the technical professional, I think you'll find this guide provides a cost-effective and efficient way to meet your business needs. The latest DB2 technology puts customers on the road to getting even more value form their data. I think you'll enjoy being part of the journey. Hershel Harris Manager, Database Technology IBM Software Solutions Division Preface This book is a complete guide to the IBM's relational database servers, known as DB2 Universal Database Version 5. DB2 Universal Database (UDB) Version 5 is available on many operating systems, and the book has been written with this in mind. Any significant differences in the implementation of DB2 on various operating systems are highlighted. If you are planning to become certified, or you would simply like to understand the powerful new DB2 database servers from IBM, then read on. Those interested in becoming an IBM Certified Professional will want to review the sample questions at the end of each chapter. There are exercises provided at the end of many of the chapters to provide hands-on use of DB2. The book is divided into 3 main sections: DB2 Fundamentals (Chapters 1-5) Installing and configuring DB2 servers and clients are covered in Chapters 1, 2, and 3. The Structured Query Language (SQL) is discussed in Chapter 4 and database concurrency is discussed in Chapter 5. DB2 Database Administration (Chapters 6-8) Creating a DB2 database and its related table spaces is covered in Chapter 6. The common administration tasks are discussed in Chapter 7, database monitoring and performance considerations are discussed in Chapter 8. DB2 Application Development (Chapters 9-10) Developing a static embedded SQL application is covered in Chapter 9. Alternate DB2 programming interfaces, including Call Level Interface (CLI) and dynamic embedded SQL, are discussed in Chapters 9 and 10. Exercises are provided at the end of most of the chapters. The exercises make references to files that can be found on the companion CD-ROM. The exercises are provided to enforce that the concepts discussed in the chapter are understood. Any Intel DB2 operating environment can be used to perform the exercises. This book can be used as a self-study guide to prepare for the DB2 certification exams or as a complete guide to DB2 Universal Database. The path to certification involves successfully completing two exams: The test objectives are provided in Appendixes A, B, and C. These should be used as a guide to ensure that you are fully prepared to take the DB2 exams. The DB2 Fundamentals Exam (503) covers these skills: Understanding DB2 products and components Creating database objects Understanding various DB2 data types Using SQL to manipulate database objects Describing DB2 concurrency For more details on the contents of this exam, see "DB2 Fundamentals (503) - Test Objectives" on page 714. The DB2 Database Administration Exam (504) covers these skills: Managing DB2 instances Creating and maintaining database objects Managing table spaces Using utilities: IMPORT, LOAD, REORG, RUNSTATS Managing recovery procedures (BACKUP/RESTORE) Analyzing resource problems For more details on the contents of this exam, see "DB2 UDB V5 Database Administration (504) - Test Objectives" on page 718. The DB2 Application Development exam (505) covers these skills: Developing static embedded SQL programs Developing dynamic embedded SQL programs Using host variables, parameter markers, and cursors Understanding dynamic SQL (Call Level Interface) For more details on the contents of this exam, see "DB2 UDB V5 Application Development (505) - Test Objectives" on page 722. Conventions Many examples of SQL statements, DB2 commands, and operating system commands are included throughout the book. SQL statements are usually displayed within a shaded box and any of the mandatory sections of the statements are shown in uppercase. An example of an SQL statement is shown: SQL is not a case-sensitive language, so the above query would provide the same result regardless of the case of the SQL keywords, or the database object (table names or column names). Of course the data stored in the database is stored exactly as it was entered (including case). Therefore, the above query would only find the candidates with the last name of `JANACEK' or `SNOW'. If the data were stored as `Janacek', it would not be part of the result table. If SQL keywords are referred to in the text portion of the book, they will be shown as a bold mono-spaced font. For example, the SELECT statement is used to retrieve data from a DB2 database. DB2 commands will be shown using the same method as SQL keywords. For example, the CREATE DATABASE command allows you to define the initial location of database objects. DB2 commands are issued from the Command Line Processor (CLP) utility. This utility will accept the commands in upper and lower case. The CLP program itself is an executable called db2. In some operating systems, such as AIX, the program names are case sensitive. Therefore, be careful to enter the program name using the proper case. There are a few operating system specific commands in this book. If the commands must be in lowercase they will be shown as such. For example, the UNIX command to create a user is the mkuser command. Occasionally, notes are provided to highlight a particular point. - A note may be used to explain a minor operating system difference or it may be used to summarize a concept. There are a few syntax diagrams shown in the book. We recommend that the Command Line Processor be used to verify the syntax of DB2 commands. Some of the commands are shown with the complete syntax as shown in the Command Line Processor. The following is an example of complete syntax of the DB2 BACKUP DATABASE command. A syntax diagram shows how the command should be entered using the Command Line Processor. The diagram should be followed from left to right, and from top to bottom. Parameters are regarded as keywords or variables. A parameter can be a combination of a keyword and a variable. · Keywords represent constants in the command. They are shown in uppercase in the syntax diagram. For example, BACKUP DATABASE is a keyword. A keyword may be entered in upper-, lower-, or mixed case. · Variables are values that are user supplied. They are indicated in the command syntax using lowercase. At the command prompt, they may be entered in either upper-, lower-, or mixed case, unless case restrictions are explicitly stated. Some of the user-supplied variables are required, such as database-alias in the BACKUP DATABASE command. The vertical bar "" means that the keyword following is required. Optional parameters are indicated in the syntax with square brackets "" . An optional parameter may have a possible list of user-supplied input values. This is indicated with the combination of "{" and three periods "...". For example, a user may back up multiple table spaces using a single BACKUP DATABASE command. The DB2 SQL Reference should be used to verify the syntax of SQL statements. To emphasize a term or concept, the term is shown in bold type or emphasized with italics. How this Book was Created This book was a joint effort between the Austin ITSO (International Technical Support Organization) and the IBM Toronto Lab. The ITSO is a group within IBM whose mission is to provide skill transfer on new products and technology worldwide. We provide direct feedback to the IBM software labs as we gather input from various groups of DB2 users, including IBM support personnel, customers and business partners. The ITSO provides a working environment for interested individuals to work with new IBM software products. These individuals may include IBM employees and customers. The team develops a workshop or book, known as a redbook. - ITSO redbooks - ...