Scenario: After completing the installation of DB2, a developer needs to configure database connections for an application. What file should they modify to accomplish this task?

  • db2cli.ini
  • db2connect.cfg
  • db2diag.log
  • db2dsdriver.cfg
The correct file to modify database connections for an application is db2dsdriver.cfg. This file contains the settings for the IBM Data Server Driver for JDBC and SQLJ. It allows developers to define data sources and connection properties for connecting to DB2 databases. db2cli.ini is used for CLI/ODBC applications, db2connect.cfg is used for remote client connectivity settings, and db2diag.log is a diagnostic log file that records messages related to DB2 errors and events, but it does not configure database connections. 

What are weak entities in an ERD?

  • Entities with composite attributes
  • Entities with derived attributes
  • Entities with strong relationships
  • Entities without primary keys
Weak entities are entities that do not have a primary key attribute on their own. They rely on a relationship with another entity (owner entity) for their existence. 

In DB2, what is the significance of primary keys in tables?

  • They allow NULL values in the column
  • They automatically create indexes
  • They define the order of the rows
  • They ensure uniqueness of each row
Primary keys in DB2 tables play a crucial role in ensuring the uniqueness of each row. They enforce entity integrity by ensuring that no two rows have the same values in the specified column or combination of columns. This uniqueness constraint helps maintain data accuracy and consistency. 

What is the significance of DB2's support for multiple data types?

  • Enhances flexibility in handling diverse data
  • Improves data security
  • Optimizes query performance
  • Simplifies database administration
DB2's support for multiple data types is significant as it enhances flexibility in handling diverse data. This means that DB2 can accommodate various types of data efficiently, allowing for more versatile applications and better support for different business needs. For example, it can handle structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data types, making it suitable for a wide range of use cases, from traditional relational databases to modern big data applications. 

The Health Monitor in DB2 primarily focuses on monitoring ________.

  • Application queries
  • Database health and performance
  • Network latency
  • Operating system resources
The Health Monitor in DB2 primarily focuses on monitoring database health and performance, ensuring optimal functioning, identifying bottlenecks, and diagnosing potential issues. 

What is the primary function of DB2 Control Center?

  • Data backup and recovery
  • Database management and administration
  • Database monitoring and performance tuning
  • Query optimization
The primary function of DB2 Control Center is database monitoring and performance tuning. It provides tools for administrators to monitor database activity, analyze performance metrics, and tune the database for optimal performance. With this tool, administrators can identify bottlenecks, optimize queries, and ensure smooth database operation. 

Control Center facilitates ________ management of DB2 instances and databases.

  • Automated
  • Centralized
  • Decentralized
  • Remote
Control Center provides centralized management of DB2 instances and databases, allowing administrators to perform various tasks such as monitoring, configuring, and troubleshooting from a single interface. This centralized approach enhances efficiency and simplifies administration processes. 

What are the functions of the Database Services component within DB2's architecture?

  • Concurrency control and transaction management
  • Data storage and retrieval
  • Indexing and data integrity
  • Query optimization and execution
The Database Services component in DB2 handles crucial functions such as concurrency control, ensuring transactions' atomicity, consistency, isolation, and durability (ACID properties), and manages data integrity through various mechanisms like constraints. 

In an ERD, what does a dotted line connecting entities signify?

  • Many-to-many relationship
  • Many-to-one relationship
  • One-to-many relationship
  • One-to-one relationship
A dotted line connecting entities in an ERD typically signifies a one-to-many relationship. This means that one instance of an entity can be associated with multiple instances of another entity, but each instance of the other entity is associated with only one instance of the first entity. 

Scenario: A software development team is debating whether to denormalize their database schema to optimize performance. What factors should they consider before making this decision?

  • Data integrity requirements
  • Storage space availability
  • Query complexity
  • Development time constraints
Option 1: Data integrity requirements - Before deciding to denormalize the database schema for performance optimization, the software development team should carefully consider various factors. One crucial factor is data integrity requirements. Denormalization can lead to data redundancy and potential update anomalies, compromising data integrity. Therefore, the team must evaluate the impact of denormalization on data consistency and ensure that appropriate measures, such as establishing referential integrity constraints and enforcing data validation rules, are in place to maintain data integrity. Hence, considering data integrity requirements is essential before proceeding with denormalization for performance optimization.