Weak entities in an ERD depend on the existence of ________ entities.

  • Dependent
  • Independent
  • Related
  • Strong
Weak entities in an ERD are entities that cannot exist without the presence of another related entity, known as the identifying or parent entity. Therefore, weak entities depend on the existence of other entities for their own existence. 

A comprehensive disaster recovery plan for a DB2 environment typically includes provisions for ________, ________, and ________.

  • Data encryption, offsite storage
  • Failover strategies
  • Log shipping, replication
  • Regular backups
A comprehensive disaster recovery plan for a DB2 environment typically includes provisions for log shipping, replication, and failover strategies. Log shipping and replication ensure that data is continuously replicated to a standby server, while failover strategies ensure a seamless transition to the standby server in the event of a primary server failure. 

How does DB2 handle simultaneous access to data by multiple transactions?

  • By allowing all transactions to access data simultaneously
  • By randomly choosing which transaction gets access to data first
  • By terminating transactions that attempt to access the same data
  • Through techniques such as locking, timestamping, and multiversioning
DB2 handles simultaneous access to data by multiple transactions through various techniques such as locking, timestamping, and multiversioning. These techniques ensure that transactions can access and modify data without interfering with each other, thereby maintaining data consistency and integrity. Each technique has its advantages and is chosen based on factors such as transaction isolation level and performance requirements. 

A DBA notices a decline in query performance in a DB2 database. What steps can they take using the Runstats and Reorg utilities to improve performance?

  • Analyze query execution plans and identify any missing or outdated statistics on tables and indexes
  • Disable logging for the affected tables and indexes to reduce overhead during query execution
  • Drop and recreate all indexes on the tables to eliminate fragmentation and improve query performance
  • Increase buffer pool sizes and adjust memory configuration settings to allocate more resources for query processing
Analyzing query execution plans helps identify areas where statistics are outdated or missing, which can lead to poor query performance. Running Runstats updates these statistics, providing the query optimizer with accurate information for generating efficient execution plans. Reorganizing the database using the Reorg utility helps to defragment tables and indexes, improving data locality and access efficiency, thus further enhancing query performance. Adjusting buffer pool sizes and memory configurations may optimize memory usage but may not directly address the root cause of performance degradation related to outdated statistics or fragmented data. Disabling logging for tables and indexes is not a recommended practice as it compromises data integrity and recoverability. 

How does the EXPORT utility handle large volumes of data in DB2?

  • Allocates additional memory, Executes background processes, Implements data deduplication, Restructures database schema
  • Converts data formats, Utilizes cloud storage, Validates data integrity, Generates error reports
  • Deletes redundant data, Applies data encryption, Changes data types, Sorts data alphabetically
  • Divides data into manageable chunks, Uses parallel processing, Creates temporary buffers, Implements data compression
The EXPORT utility in DB2 handles large volumes of data by dividing it into manageable chunks. This approach prevents overwhelming system resources and allows for efficient processing. Additionally, it may utilize parallel processing to expedite the export process and can create temporary buffers to optimize data transfer. Moreover, data compression techniques may be employed to reduce the size of exported data files, further enhancing performance and storage efficiency. 

In DB2, a self-join is used to join a table to itself based on a ________.

  • Common column
  • Foreign key
  • Primary key
  • Unique column
In a self-join, a table is joined with itself based on a common column, allowing comparisons between rows within the same table. This is useful for hierarchical data or when comparing related records. 

What is the primary purpose of data compression in DB2?

  • Enhance data security
  • Improve query performance
  • Reduce storage space
  • Streamline data backup
Data compression in DB2 primarily aims to reduce storage space by compressing data, leading to efficient storage management and cost savings. It allows for storing more data in less space without compromising data integrity or accessibility. This can significantly benefit organizations dealing with large volumes of data by optimizing storage resources and enhancing overall system performance. 

What does the version number of DB2 signify?

  • Edition
  • Patch level
  • Release level
  • Year of release
The version number of DB2 signifies the release level of the software. It indicates the specific version or release of DB2, which includes enhancements, bug fixes, and new features introduced by IBM. For instance, version 11.5 denotes a different release than version 11.1, with each release potentially offering improvements and new functionalities. Database administrators need to be aware of the version number to ensure compatibility with their existing systems and to leverage the latest features available. 

How does buffer pool tuning impact DB2 performance?

  • Enhances network throughput
  • Improves disk I/O efficiency
  • Increases memory usage
  • Reduces CPU consumption
Buffer pool tuning in DB2 involves adjusting the sizes and configurations of buffer pools, which are memory areas used to cache frequently accessed data. Proper buffer pool tuning can significantly improve performance by reducing the need for disk I/O operations, as data can be retrieved from memory more quickly. This can lead to lower CPU consumption and better overall response times for database queries and transactions. 

How do different editions of DB2 cater to varying enterprise needs?

  • Basic edition for entry-level users, Professional edition for mid-sized enterprises, Corporate edition for multinational corporations, Ultimate edition for comprehensive solutions
  • Developer edition for testing and development, Community edition for open-source enthusiasts, Standard edition for general-purpose usage, Premium edition for mission-critical applications
  • Express edition for small businesses, Workgroup edition for departmental use, Enterprise edition for large-scale deployments, Advanced edition for specialized workloads
  • Starter edition for educational institutions, Basic edition for non-commercial use, Professional edition for consultancy firms, Expert edition for data-intensive industries
Different editions of DB2 are tailored to meet the diverse requirements of enterprises. These editions cater to varying needs such as the size of the organization, the complexity of workloads, and budget constraints. For instance, the Express edition targets small businesses with its cost-effective features, while the Enterprise edition is designed for large-scale deployments requiring robust performance and scalability. Understanding these editions helps organizations align their database solutions with their specific business objectives.