In DB2, what is the difference between a clustered index and a non-clustered index?

  • A clustered index is faster for read operations.
  • A clustered index physically orders the data on disk.
  • A non-clustered index does not affect the physical order of data.
  • A non-clustered index is faster for write operations.
A clustered index physically reorders the rows in the table based on the index key, which means the rows are stored on disk in the same order as the index. This speeds up retrieval of data based on that index key but may slow down inserts and updates because the rows must be physically reordered. A non-clustered index does not change the physical order of the data on disk and thus doesn't affect insert or update performance, but may be slower for retrieval operations. 

OLE DB acts as a(n) ________ for integrating DB2 with Windows-based systems.

  • API
  • Interface
  • Middleware
  • Object-relational mapping
OLE DB serves as an interface for integrating DB2 with Windows-based systems. It allows applications on Windows platforms to access and manipulate data stored in DB2 databases using a consistent set of APIs. OLE DB facilitates data exchange and communication between DB2 and Windows applications. 

Scenario: An organization is required to comply with strict data security regulations. How can they ensure that sensitive data stored in DB2 is adequately encrypted?

  • Ignoring encryption as it's unnecessary
  • Implementing native encryption features provided by DB2
  • Storing sensitive data in plain text
  • Using third-party encryption tools
Implementing native encryption features provided by DB2 ensures that sensitive data is encrypted within the database itself, offering strong protection against unauthorized access. Storing sensitive data in plain text violates security regulations and exposes the data to potential breaches. Using third-party encryption tools may introduce compatibility issues and additional management overhead. Ignoring encryption disregards security requirements and exposes the organization to compliance risks. 

Which data format is commonly used for representing hierarchical data structures in DB2?

  • CSV
  • JSON
  • TXT
  • XML
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is commonly used for representing hierarchical data structures in DB2. JSON provides a lightweight and easy-to-read format for organizing and exchanging data, making it well-suited for applications that require hierarchical data representation, such as web services and NoSQL databases. 

Analyzing and optimizing the ________ can lead to better overall DB2 performance.

  • Application code
  • Buffer pools
  • Database configuration
  • Locking mechanisms
Analyzing and optimizing the database configuration, including parameters such as buffer pool sizes, can lead to better overall DB2 performance. 

When using the SUM() function in DB2, NULL values in the column are ________ in the calculation.

  • Counted
  • Ignored
  • Treated as Zero
  • Excluded
The correct option is "Ignored". When using the SUM() function in DB2, NULL values in the column are ignored in the calculation. Only non-NULL values are summed up. It's essential to be aware of this behavior when performing calculations with SUM(). 

Scenario: An application requires that a certain column in a DB2 table always contains a valid date value. Which constraint should be applied to enforce this rule?

  • Check Constraint
  • Foreign Key Constraint
  • Primary Key Constraint
  • Unique Constraint
A Check Constraint allows the specification of a condition that each row in the table must satisfy. In this scenario, a Check Constraint can be used to ensure that the column always contains valid date values by defining a condition to validate dates. 

SQL's UPDATE statement is used to ________ existing records in a database table.

  • Delete
  • Insert
  • Modify
  • Retrieve
The UPDATE statement in SQL is used to modify existing records in a database table. It allows you to change the values of specific columns in one or more rows based on specified conditions. 

DB2 offers support for multiple ________ types.

  • Data
  • Index
  • Storage
  • Table
DB2 offers support for multiple table types, including regular tables, system-maintained temporal tables, and declared global temporary tables. This flexibility allows users to organize and manage data efficiently based on their specific requirements. 

User-defined functions can return ________ values in DB2.

  • Multiple
  • Numeric
  • Single
  • String
User-defined functions can return Multiple values in DB2. Unlike built-in functions that typically return a single value, user-defined functions offer the flexibility to return multiple values based on the defined logic and input parameters. 

Scenario: A DBA notices that a query is running slowly in DB2. Upon investigation, it is found that the table being queried does not have any indexes. What recommendation would you provide to optimize the query performance?

  • Create indexes on the columns involved in the query.
  • Increase the server memory to improve query performance.
  • Partition the table to distribute data across multiple disks.
  • Rewrite the query to use optimized SQL constructs.
Adding indexes to the columns involved in the query can significantly enhance query performance by allowing DB2 to quickly locate the relevant rows. This reduces the need for full table scans and can lead to faster query execution. Rewriting the query might help in some cases, but adding indexes is a more direct solution to the problem of slow query performance due to the lack of indexes. Increasing server memory or partitioning the table may not directly address the issue of slow query performance caused by missing indexes. 

Triggers in DB2 are activated by ________ events.

  • Data manipulation
  • Database connection events
  • Software installation events
  • User authentication events
Triggers in DB2 are primarily activated by data manipulation events, such as INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE operations on specified tables. These triggers execute automatically when the defined event occurs in the database.