Discuss the benefits of achieving Boyce-Codd Normal Form (BCNF) in database design.

  • Enhancing query performance
  • Improving data integrity
  • Reducing data redundancy and anomalies
  • Simplifying data retrieval
Achieving BCNF helps in minimizing data redundancy and anomalies, thus improving data integrity. It ensures that every determinant is a candidate key, enhancing data integrity. BCNF may simplify data retrieval but does not directly impact query performance. 

What is the difference between range partitioning and hash partitioning in DB2?

  • Data is distributed based on a specified range of values
  • Data is distributed based on hash values of specified columns
  • Data is evenly distributed across partitions
  • Data is randomly distributed across partitions
Range partitioning in DB2 involves distributing data based on a specified range of values for a particular column. Hash partitioning, on the other hand, distributes data based on hash values of specified columns, ensuring even distribution across partitions. Range partitioning is typically used when data can be logically grouped into ranges, while hash partitioning is suitable for distributing data uniformly across partitions. 

What is the purpose of using joins in DB2?

  • To combine rows from two or more tables based on a related column between them
  • To delete duplicate rows in a table
  • To sort the data in a table
  • To update the data in a table
Joins in DB2 are used to combine rows from two or more tables based on a related column between them. This allows for retrieving related data from different tables. 

Describe the role of Access Control Lists (ACLs) in DB2 security.

  • Control access based on alphabetical criteria
  • Control access based on predefined criteria
  • Control access based on random criteria
  • Control access based on user-defined criteria
Access Control Lists (ACLs) in DB2 security enable administrators to define specific criteria for granting or denying access to database objects based on user-defined conditions, ensuring precise control over who can access what. 

Scenario: A developer wants to import data from a CSV file into a DB2 table. However, the CSV file contains a header row that should be excluded during the import process. Which option of the IMPORT utility should they use?

  • MODIFIED BY ANYORDER
  • MODIFIED BY NOHEADERS
  • MODIFIED BY NOCHARDEL
  • MODIFIED BY COLDEL
The MODIFIED BY NOHEADERS option should be used to exclude the header row during the import process. This option instructs the IMPORT utility not to treat the first row of the input file as column data, effectively skipping it during the import operation. This ensures that only the actual data from the CSV file is imported into the DB2 table, without including the header row. 

What does troubleshooting involve in the context of DB2?

  • Creating new databases
  • Generating reports
  • Identifying and resolving issues
  • Installing software updates
Troubleshooting in DB2 involves identifying and resolving issues that affect database performance or functionality. This process includes diagnosing problems, analyzing logs, and applying appropriate fixes or configurations to address the root cause of the issue. 

Scenario: An application requires frequent querying of aggregated data from multiple tables. How can materialized views be beneficial in this scenario within a DB2 environment?

  • Materialized views can automatically index columns for faster query performance.
  • Materialized views can automatically update themselves based on underlying table changes.
  • Materialized views can enforce referential integrity constraints across multiple tables.
  • Materialized views can store precomputed aggregated data, reducing query processing time.
Materialized views in DB2 can significantly enhance query performance in scenarios requiring frequent querying of aggregated data from multiple tables. By storing precomputed results, materialized views eliminate the need for repeated computation of aggregates, thereby reducing query processing time. This approach also minimizes resource utilization and enhances overall system efficiency. Materialized views can be periodically refreshed to ensure that the data remains up-to-date, providing users with accurate insights without the overhead of recalculating aggregates on the fly. 

What are the common techniques used to denormalize a database schema?

  • Aggregating Tables
  • Data Duplication
  • Horizontal Partitioning
  • Vertical Partitioning
Denormalization involves introducing redundancy into a table or database to improve query performance or simplify data management. Common techniques include data duplication, where selected data is stored in multiple tables for easier retrieval, and aggregating tables, where data from multiple tables is combined into a single table for faster queries. 

Scenario: A company regularly performs backups of its DB2 database using the EXPORT utility. However, the size of the backups has become increasingly large, impacting storage and performance. What strategies could the company implement to address this issue?

  • Archive Logs
  • Implement Compression
  • Increase Buffer Pool Size
  • Use Parallelism
Implementing compression is an effective strategy to address the issue of large backup sizes when using the EXPORT utility. By enabling compression during the export process, the company can significantly reduce the size of the backup files, thereby saving storage space and improving overall performance. Compression techniques such as zlib or gzip can be applied to the exported data to achieve compression ratios that balance between space savings and processing overhead. 

The COUNT() function in DB2 returns the ________ of rows that meet the specified condition.

  • Number
  • Sum
  • Count
  • Average
The correct option is "Count". The COUNT() function in DB2 returns the number of rows that meet the specified condition. It is commonly used to count the number of rows in a table that satisfy certain criteria.