Scenario: During a routine check, the Health Monitor detects a deviation from compliance standards. What measures should the administrator implement to address this deviation and prevent future occurrences?

  • Implement encryption for sensitive data
  • Perform regular audits and compliance checks
  • Review and revise database maintenance routines
  • Update database security policies and access controls
Performing regular audits and compliance checks helps in identifying deviations from established standards and ensures adherence to regulatory requirements. It allows the administrator to take corrective actions, such as updating security policies or access controls, to mitigate risks and maintain compliance. 

How does the DEFERRABLE constraint affect the timing of constraint checking in DB2?

  • DEFERRABLE constraint enables the checking of constraint immediately after each DML statement.
  • DEFERRABLE constraint enforces the constraint during the execution of each DML statement.
  • DEFERRABLE constraint postpones the checking of constraint until the next COMMIT or ROLLBACK operation.
  • The DEFERRABLE constraint allows deferring the checking of constraint until the end of a transaction.
DEFERRABLE constraint in DB2 postpones the constraint checking until the next COMMIT or ROLLBACK operation, allowing flexibility in handling constraints within a transaction. This feature is particularly useful in scenarios where you need to temporarily violate constraints during the transaction and enforce them only at the end. 

To determine if an index is being used by the query optimizer in DB2, you can analyze the ________.

  • Explain Plan
  • Index Definition
  • Query Results
  • Table Structure
To determine if an index is being used by the query optimizer in DB2, you can analyze the explain plan of the query. The explain plan shows the execution steps chosen by the optimizer, including whether indexes are utilized. 

What role does the buffer pool play in DB2's architecture?

  • Caches data and manages data in memory
  • Handles user requests and interacts with the database manager
  • Manages data storage
  • Optimizes I/O operations
The buffer pool in DB2's architecture plays a crucial role in caching data and managing data in memory. It stores frequently accessed data pages in memory, reducing the need for disk I/O operations. This improves performance by speeding up data retrieval and manipulation operations. 

Scenario: A DBA notices a sudden increase in database response time. Which component of DB2's architecture might be a potential bottleneck, and how can it be addressed?

  • Buffer Pool
  • Database Logging
  • Lock Manager
  • Sort Work Area
The potential bottleneck could be the Lock Manager. Lock contention occurs when multiple transactions try to access the same data simultaneously, causing delays in execution. To address this, the DBA can optimize transaction isolation levels, minimize long-running transactions, or use lock avoidance techniques like row-level locking to reduce contention. 

Which type of join returns only the rows that have matching values in both tables?

  • Inner Join
  • Left Join
  • Outer Join
  • Right Join
Inner Join returns only the rows that have matching values in both tables based on the specified join condition. Other types of joins may return unmatched rows as well. 

Which SQL command is used to add new records to a table?

  • DELETE
  • INSERT
  • SELECT
  • UPDATE
The INSERT command in SQL is used to add new records (rows) to a table. It allows users to specify the values for each column in the table when inserting new data. This command is essential for adding data to tables and expanding the dataset in a database. 

How does Visual Explain aid in query optimization in DB2?

  • Generates SQL scripts for query optimization
  • Identifies potential bottlenecks in query execution
  • Provides detailed statistics on query execution
  • Provides visual representation of access paths
Visual Explain in DB2 aids in query optimization by providing a visual representation of the access paths chosen by the query optimizer for executing the SQL statement. This helps in understanding and analyzing the query execution plan, which is crucial for optimizing query performance. 

Which normal form requires all determinants to be candidate keys?

  • First Normal Form
  • Fourth Normal Form
  • Second Normal Form
  • Third Normal Form
Third Normal Form (3NF) requires that every non-prime attribute is non-transitively dependent on every candidate key in the table. In other words, all determinants must be candidate keys. This eliminates any transitive dependencies and ensures data integrity and consistency. 

In what scenarios would you prefer using Command Line Tools over Control Center for database administration tasks?

  • When performing repetitive tasks with automation scripts
  • When requiring a visual representation of database objects
  • Both A and B
  • None of the above
Command Line Tools are preferred over Control Center for database administration tasks when performing repetitive tasks with automation scripts. These tools allow administrators to automate routine tasks by scripting commands, making it more efficient for managing large-scale or repetitive operations. Control Center, with its graphical interface, is better suited for tasks that require a visual representation of database objects, such as exploring database structures or visually analyzing query results. Therefore, both options A and B are correct. 

What advantages does XML provide over JSON in DB2?

  • Better suited for complex data structures
  • Easier to parse and manipulate
  • More structured and hierarchical data representation
  • Supports namespaces and validation
XML offers more structured and hierarchical data representation compared to JSON, making it better suited for complex data structures. XML also supports namespaces and validation, which can be crucial for certain applications. 

What are the advantages of using triggers over stored procedures in certain scenarios?

  • All of the above
  • Enhanced performance
  • Improved data integrity
  • Reduced application complexity
Triggers in DB2 offer improved data integrity by enforcing constraints and business rules directly at the database level. This ensures that data remains consistent and valid, regardless of how it is accessed or modified. While stored procedures can also enhance data integrity, triggers provide an additional layer of protection by automatically executing when specific events occur, without requiring explicit invocation by applications.