Using three-part names, Insert statements can now reference objects from more than one IBM i system.

Written by Kent Milligan

The GA version of the DB2 for i 7.1 release simplified access to DB2 objects on remote systems by eliminating the need for explicit remote connections with the new three-part name support. Instead of developers having to use an extra CONNECT or SET CONNECTION statement to explicitly connect statement, they can now simply run an SQL statement like the following to retrieve data from a table on a different system or partition.

At first glance, recursion appears to be a computer science method that's relevant only in the world of academia.

Written by Kent Milligan

Recursion is a great for traversing linked lists or generating the numbers of a Fibonacci sequence, but recursion can't be applied to business problems…or can it? 

In reality, there are several industries where data elements have inherent relationships with other elements, and the best way to connect these data elements is with recursive (or hierarchical) processing. The classic example is the generation of a bill of materials explosion in the manufacturing industry. A bill of materials explosion breaks apart each assembly or sub-assembly into its component parts.

Can your decision-makers get the data they need quickly and easily?

Written by Mike Stegeman

Do you store your data on different servers throughout your enterprise? Do you use different tools to extract, cleanse, and present the data? Can your decision-makers quickly get the data they need to do their jobs?

As the processes of data access, extraction, and presentation become more complex and costly, you need a solution that lets you access multiple data sources and get answers fast.

Managing and tracking DB2 tables just got a lot easier, with metrics such as table size and number of rows at your fingertips.

Written by Kent Milligan

On other database servers, database administrators have to keep a close watch on the size and number of rows in a table to make sure that enough disk space has been allocated for the table object. While DB2 for i automates the storage allocation administrative task, it's helpful for IBM i users to know the size of a table to estimate how long a query or copy operation might take. Typically, the more rows a table contains, the longer it takes perform operations against the table.

Faster, faster, faster! Use large memory pools to boost your SQL performance.

Written by Kent Milligan

More companies are creating and running queries to help their business leaders make better decisions, ones that are based on data facts instead of educated guesses. As users see the business value provided by these reports, it's only a matter of time before they'll ask for the reports to run faster.

Learn how a recent enhancement to DB2 Web Query provides a way to customize a granular yet secure reporting environment.

Written by Gene Cobb

V1R1M2 of IBM DB2 Web Query for i was a significant version, one that offered new features such as the InfoAssist development tool as well as the Oracle JD Edwards Application Adapter. One feature that has flown a bit under the radar is a security enhancement named DBA (short for Database Administrator). This new feature is found in the synonym editor in DB2 Web Query Developer Workbench. It provides a way to configure a secure reporting environment that is both granular and flexible.

Give DB2 new functionality with the ability to CAST from binary data.

Written by Michael Sansoterra

Whether it be a hash value, raw data from another system, or something else, every once in a while, I find myself manipulating binary data within an application. However, in SQL, it's a royal pain to convert binary data to another built-in data type.

Help is available! Learn about the handy Function Assist feature available in the DB2 Web Query Developer Workbench tool.

Written by Gene Cobb

DB2 Web Query is loaded with built-in functions to help you transform your raw DB2 for i data into something more meaningful and useful for use in your reports, graphs, dashboards, and compound documents. Some of these functions have multiple parameters and a limited number of acceptable values, so unless you have been working with the product for some time, it may not be obvious how to implement the correct format, syntax, and values to make them work. Wouldn't it be nice if there was an interface complete with help text and examples to guide you through the process of defining these functions?