Scenario: An application requires precise monetary values to be stored in the database. Which data type is most appropriate for this purpose in DB2?
- CHAR
- DECIMAL
- FLOAT
- INTEGER
DECIMAL data type is the most suitable for storing precise monetary values in a DB2 database. DECIMAL provides exact numeric representation without any rounding or approximation issues, making it ideal for financial calculations where precision is crucial.
The Communication Manager component in DB2's architecture ensures ________.
- Compatibility with different operating systems
- Data integrity and consistency across nodes
- Load balancing across multiple servers
- Secure communication between client and server
The Communication Manager in DB2's architecture is responsible for establishing and managing connections between client applications and the DB2 database server, ensuring secure and reliable communication, and facilitating data exchange while maintaining integrity and confidentiality.
In DB2, what is the purpose of using a cursor with a FOR UPDATE clause?
- To automatically commit the transaction
- To lock the rows fetched by the cursor for update operations
- To optimize query performance
- To retrieve data without locking any rows
Using a cursor with a FOR UPDATE clause in DB2 is intended to lock the rows fetched by the cursor. This ensures that the rows cannot be modified by other transactions until the current transaction completes. This feature is commonly used in scenarios where data consistency and integrity are crucial, such as in banking applications where multiple users may try to update the same data simultaneously.
What is the purpose of indexes in DB2?
- Ensure data integrity
- Improve data retrieval speed
- Manage database connections
- Store data physically
Indexes in DB2 serve the purpose of improving data retrieval speed by providing a quick lookup mechanism. By creating indexes on columns frequently used in search conditions, DB2 can locate rows more efficiently, leading to faster query execution times.
Nodes in Visual Explain diagrams represent different ________ involved in query execution.
- Columns
- Indexes
- Operations
- Tables
Nodes in Visual Explain diagrams represent different operations involved in query execution. These operations can include things like table scans, index scans, sorts, and joins. Understanding these operations helps in analyzing and optimizing query performance.
Views in DB2 can be used to ________.
- Create indexes
- Enforce constraints
- Simplify data access
- Store data
Views in DB2 can be used to simplify data access. They provide a virtual representation of the data stored in one or more tables, allowing users to retrieve and manipulate data without directly accessing the underlying tables. Views can filter data, join multiple tables, and present a subset of columns, making it easier for users to work with the data according to their requirements.
In DB2, what is the role of the compression dictionary in data compression?
- Encrypting data to enhance security
- Improving query performance by indexing compressed data
- Increasing data redundancy for fault tolerance
- Reducing storage space by storing frequently used values in a separate dictionary
The compression dictionary in DB2 helps in reducing storage space by storing frequently used values in a separate dictionary. This dictionary stores repetitive values, allowing for more efficient data compression.
Scenario: A company is considering migrating its database to DB2. They are concerned about data security. How can you reassure them about DB2's capabilities in this regard?
- DB2 offers robust security features such as encryption at rest and in transit, fine-grained access controls, and auditing capabilities.
- DB2 provides basic security measures but may not be suitable for highly sensitive data.
- DB2 relies solely on external security measures and lacks built-in security features.
- DB2's security features are outdated and may pose risks to sensitive data.
DB2 incorporates advanced security measures to protect data integrity and confidentiality. Encryption at rest ensures that data stored in the database is protected from unauthorized access. Encryption in transit secures data as it moves between the application and the database server. Fine-grained access controls allow administrators to define and enforce security policies at a granular level, ensuring that only authorized users can access specific data. Auditing capabilities enable tracking and monitoring of database activities, providing insights into potential security breaches. Overall, DB2 provides comprehensive security features to address data security concerns effectively.
In an ERD, an entity represents a ________ in the database.
- Attribute
- Record
- Relationship
- Table
In an Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD), an entity represents a table in the database. It typically corresponds to a real-world object or concept, such as a customer, product, or employee. Entities have attributes that describe their properties.
What is the purpose of aggregation functions in DB2?
- To manipulate data types
- To modify table structures
- To perform calculations on sets of rows
- To perform sorting operations on columns
Aggregation functions in DB2 are used to perform calculations on sets of rows, such as computing sums, averages, counts, minimum, and maximum values. These functions help in deriving meaningful insights from data.