DB2 Survival Guide

DB2 Environment Basics

Creating a Database and Tables (v6.0 & v7.0)

Topic Description
Create a Database
  • Using "Command Line Processor" to Create a Database
    • Start, Programs, IBM DB2, Command Line Processor
    • db2 => create database <database name>
      Ex: create database test
    • db2 => quit
  • Using "Command Center" to Create a Database
    • Start, Programs, IBM DB2, Command Center
    • Click on the "Interactive" tab.
    • type: create database LS5
    • Click on the "Gears" icon.  Wait for the message "CREATE DATABASE command completed successfully."
  • Using "Control Center" to Create a Database
    • Start, Program Files, DB2 for Win NT, Control Center.
    • Now that you are in Control Center, click down the tree by choosing:  <computer>, Instances, DB2, Databases.
    • Right click, then click on "Create", "Database using Smart Guide".  You can choose the defaults from there.
    • Some fields you'll need to fill out:
      • "New Database Name" (only 8 characters), 
      • Alias (can leave blank)
      • Comment - anything you want.
      • Other Screens
        • You can accept all of the defaults by just clicking on "Next" or "Finish"

 

Create a Table in a Database
  • Create a system user which will be used to logon to the database & it's tables.  Now login as that user.  Now when you create the TABLE it will assign the user name as the SCHEMA name.  If you don't specify the schema DB2 will use the name of the user as the SCHEMA prefix to the table name.
    Ex:  THOMASMA.TEST - <schema name>.<table name>
  • Using "Command Line Processor" to Create a Table
    • create table test <... rest of SQL code ....>
  • Using "Control Center" to Create a Database
    • Start, Program Files, DB2 for Win NT, Control Center.
    • Now that you are in Control Center, click down the tree by choosing:  <computer>, Instances, DB2, Databases.  Then click on the Database name.
    • Right click and choose: "Create using Wizard".  You can choose the defaults from there.
    • Some fields you'll need to fill out:
      • Table schema:  leave blank to default to the UserID you are logged in as.
      • Table name: (8 characters)
      • Next create the fields, primary key, etc...
    • SQL example:
      • connect to SAMPLE
      • create table TEST ( "USERID" character (8)  not null, "FIRST" character (15), "LAST" character(20), primary key (USERID) ) 
      • Example SQL Code:
        drop table test;

        create table TEST (
        "USERID" character (8) not null,
        "FIRST" character (15),
        "LAST" character(20), primary key (USERID)
        );

        insert into Test (userid, first, last) values ('1','Michael','Thomas');
        insert into Test (userid, first, last) values ('2', 'Adam', 'Thomas');
        insert into Test (userid, first, last) values ('3', 'Stephen', 'Thomas');
        insert into Test (userid, first, last) values ('4', 'Jane', 'Doe');
        insert into Test (userid, first, last) values ('5', 'John', 'Doe');
        select userid, first, last, concat(first, concat(' ',last)) from Test with UR;

        drop view v_test1;
        CREATE VIEW v_test1 ( userid, first, last, fullname )
        AS
        (select userid, first, last, concat(first, concat(' ',last)) from Test);
         
   

Using: DB2 Command Center

Launch: Start, Programs, IBM DB2, Command Center.

Topic Description
Importing external Scripts Import and run an external Script
  • Launch the "Script Center": Tools, Script Center
  • Import a .sql script file.
    • I've found that DB2 does not like carriage returns or line feeds.  Make your commands be on one long line or use "\" for multiple lines.
  • Fill out the prompted information.
  • Select the script.  Click on "Selected", then "Run Now"
  • You'll need to launch the "Journal" to see if the script ran successfully.

Notes:

  • The script is imported into DB2 not linked to, therefore changes made to the script's physical file after the import will not change the imported script.
Connect to a DB SQL:  (Connect to a Database).
  • connect to <dbname> user <username> using <userpswd>
    • ex: connect to TEST user db2admin using db2admin
View a tables structure SQL:
  • Connect to the DB first.
  • describe table <schema>.<tablename>
Interactive Tab vs Script Tab Interactive Tab - only allows one SQL command.
Script Tab - You can place many SQL commands and highlight the ones you want to run.

I like to use the Script Tab.

Using: DB2 Control Center

Launch: Start, Programs, IBM DB2, Command Center.

Topic Description
Privileges, Authorities and Access Rights Grant Access to a Database
  • Launch "Control Center"
  • <MachineName>, Instances, DB2, Databases.  Next right click on the DB and choose "Authorities".

Grant access to a Table

  • Launch "Control Center"
  • <MachineName>, Instances, DB2, Databases, <db name>, tables.  Next right click on the Table.  Choose "Privileges". 
View Sample Data from a Table Steps:
  • Go to the Tables View (Ex: Systems, <MachineName>, Instances, DB2, Databases, <DatabaseName>, Tables.
  • Right Click on the Table you want to view Sample contents.
  • Choose "Sample Contents"
    • Shows the first 50 records.  Press next for the next 50.
    • "Filter" - click on "Filter" to run a basic query and filter out records.
View and Modify a Table Structure Steps:
  • Go to the Tables View (Ex: Systems, <MachineName>, Instances,DB2, Databases, <DatabaseName>, Tables.
  • Double click on the Table you want to View/Modify. (Note: You can also right click on the Table and choose "Alter".)
  • There is a Table for the following:
    • Table
    • Columns - shows the structure of the table.
    • Primary Key
    • Foreign Keys
    • Check Constraints
  • Note:  There is a "Show Sql" tab that will show you the SQL that DB2 will perform to make the changes - really neat!
Copy a Database Steps:
  • Optional:  If the Database is in use when you go to backup, you may need to Stop and Start DB2:
    Right click on "DB2" (Ex: Systems, <MachineName>, Instances, DB2)
    Click Stop.
    Next, Click Start
  • Right click on the DB Name:  Choose "Backup", "Database".  Now complete the information on the screens and then click "Backup Now".
    • Note:  Directory must already exist to where you want to backup up to.
    • To view the status and output of the job, use the Jobs page on the Journal (Tools, Journal).  Or you can wait for the second message to pop up that tells you if the job completed successfully.  If you get a backup error you need to go to the Journal to see why.
  • To Restore a DB from a backup.
    Right click on the DB Name:  Choose "Restore", "Database".
    Note:  All connections to the DB must be released.  You can use the following SQL:
    connect reset
    force application all

    Also, you may need to close "Control Center" and launch it again to release the connection.
  • To Restore to a new DB name from a backup!
    Right click on the DB Name:  Choose "Restore to New"
    Note: If you get error, you may want to exit "Control Center" and launch it again prior to the below steps.
    • First, click on the tab "Backup Image" and select the backup file.
    • Second, click on the tab "Description" and specify the "new database name".  Enter the new database name.
  • "Show SQL" - This button will show you the SQL code for the Backup and Restore operation it will run.
   

Using: Command Line Processor

Launch: Start, Programs, IBM DB2, Command Center.

Topic Description
Command help Command Help
  • ? <enter>  - List commands
  • ? backup command  - List help on a specific command.
Backup and Restore or Copy a DB. Backup and Restore (also Copy a DB).
  • Create a directory to backup to:
    Ex:  C:\db2\mybackup
  • Backup your DB:
    Ex: db2 => backup database SAMPLE TO c:\db2\mybackup
  • Restore the DB:
    db2 => restore database SAMPLE from C:\db2\mybackup
  • Restore the DB to another name (ie: Copy DB):
    db2 => restore database SAMPLE from C:\db2\mybackup into MYSAMPLE
Application Heap Size If you're getting Heap Size errors, the double the size of the heap.

db2 =>

  • get dbm cfg - Displays the current aslheapsz: 
  • update dbm cfg using aslheapsz 30 - Sets the heap size to 30.
Run SQL Commands db2=> (examples)
  • list database directory - lists databases on DB2 server
  • connect to sample user db2admin using db2admin - connects to a db.
  • list tables - lists tables in the DB.
  • describe select * from emp_act - lists the structure of a table.
  • select * from EMP_ACT - list the contents in the table.
Help Help

db2 => ?  - this will give a list of commands.
db2 => ? connect to - this will give help on the "connect to" command.

Using: Command Window

Topic Description
Command Window Initializes the DB2 Command Line environment and then takes you to the directory: C:\PROGRAM~1\SQLLIB\BIN

Uses:

  • You can run DB2 exe programs.
  • You can run DB2 SQL commands. (Examples)
    • db2 list database directory - lists databases on DB2 server
    • db2 - connects to a db.
    • db2 list tables - lists tables in the DB.
    • db2 - lists the structure of a table.
    • db2 select * from EMP_ACT - list the contents in the table.
   

Using: DB2 Scripts & DOS

Topic Description
Running External Scripts Running External Scripts
  • Name your scripts with a .ddl extension.
  • Example script: (filename: myplaytestscript.ddl)
    DROP DB MYPLAY
    CREATE DB MYPLAY
    CONNECT TO MYPLAY
    CREATE TABLE MYTESTTABLE ( \
    "TESTVARCHAR" VARCHAR(50) \
    )
    DESCRIBE SELECT * FROM MYTESTTABLE
    SELECT * FROM MYTESTTABLE
    DISCONNECT MYPLAY
    DROP DB MYPLAY
    TERMINATE
  • Create the following batch file:
    (Filename: myplaytestscript.bat)
    • db2cmd db2 -f myplaytestscript.ddl
      pause
  • Run the batch file.
  • NOTES
    • db2cmd.exe default install directory is:
      "C:\Program Files\SQLLIB\bin\db2cmd.exe"

 

Basic SQL for DB2 (examples)

Topic Description
General Notes
  • Strings are enclosed in single quotes (ex: 'My string') not in double quotes.
  • Coding
    • Comments:  -- This is a comment.
    • Multiple lines:  use the character "\".
      ex: select * from TEST \
            order by ID
  • Escape character.
    • To insert a single quote, use 2 single quotes ( '' ).  To insert pet's use the following pet''s.
      Example:
      insert into MYTABLE (question,answer) values ('What is your pet''s name?','blacky')
Connect/Use a Database
(Also Disconnect)
Connect to a Database.  
(Warning:  If you don't specify a username & password you will connect to the DB as your current Windows login.  Check the "Schema" via the Control Center to see what user you need to log in as.)
  • connect to <database name>
  • connect to <database name> user <username> using <userpassword>  (Remember that correct authorities must be granted at the database level to access the database.  You can use "Control Center" for this.)
  • disconnect <database name> - allows you to clear the connection.
  • Good way to commit, close a database, and terminate script.
    COMMIT WORK
    CONNECT RESET
    TERMINATE
List structure of a Table List Structure of a Table
  • DESCRIBE SELECT * FROM [table]
Tables SQL commands
  • List tables in a Database:
    • list tables for all - this will show you all of the tables.
    • Another more technical way: 
      select name, creator from sysibm.systables order by name
      - this will only show you the tables you have access to.
  • Create a Table:
    create table <table name>(<column name1> integer, <column name2> char(12), [etc...])
  • Sequence Numbers (see AutoNumber below)
SQL commands
  • Select data.
    select * from <table name>
  • Insert a row.
    insert into <table name> values (1,'hello') 
    (Note: 1 goes into the first field, 'hello' into the 2nd etc...)
    insert into <table name> (<column1>, <column2) values (<value1>, <value2>)
  • Update fields.
    update <table> set <field> = 'New info' where <field> = 'Old Info'
AutoNumber for ID's
Sequence Numbers.
Example of having DB2 create an ID number
  • create table TESTING ( TEST_ID integer not null generated always as identity (start with 0, increment by 1, no cache) primary key, NAME varchar (30) )
Special Functions Special Functions
  • where DOUBLE(MYSTRING) > 0.0  - converts a from a string to a double.
  • where INTEGER(MYSTRING) > 0.0 - converts from a string to an integer.
  • SUBSTR - SUBSTR(<string>,<start>,<length>)
    Example:
    select FIRSTNME, LASTNAME, SUBSTR(FIRSTNME,1,4), SUBSTR(LASTNAME,2,4) from db2admin.EMPLOYEE
    Returns:
    JOHN   PARKER   JOHN ARKE
    PHILIP SMITH    PHIL MITH
    MAUDE  SETRIGHT MAUD ETRI

Lower/Upper Case Lower/Upper Case: On CHARACTER or VARCHAR
  • LOWER(<fieldname>)
    LCASE(<filedname>)
  • UPPER(<filedname>)
    UCASE(<filedname>)
  • Examples using the Sample DB (SAMPLE) that is installed with DB2.  Make sure your commands are on one line.  These examples were tested in the "Command Center's" Script area.  Highlight the code you want to run and press the "Gears" icon.
    connect to SAMPLE

    insert into DEPARTMENT (DEPTNO, DEPTNAME, MGRNO, ADMRDEPT, LOCATION) VALUES ('4AA', '4Test','X','X','X'), ('AA4', 'Test','X','X','X')

    select * from DEPARTMENT
    SELECT LCASE(DEPTNAME) FROM DEPARTMENT WHERE DEPTNAME = '4Test'
    SELECT LCASE(DEPTNAME) FROM DEPARTMENT WHERE LCASE(DEPTNAME) = '4test'
    SELECT DEPTNAME FROM DEPARTMENT WHERE LCASE(DEPTNAME) = '4test'
    SELECT LCASE(DEPTNAME) FROM DEPARTMENT WHERE LCASE(DEPTNAME) like '4%'
    SELECT LCASE(DEPTNAME) FROM DEPARTMENT WHERE LCASE(DEPTNAME) like 't%'
    SELECT LCASE(DEPTNAME) FROM DEPARTMENT WHERE LCASE(DEPTNAME) like '%t%'
    SELECT DEPTNAME FROM DEPARTMENT WHERE LCASE(DEPTNAME) like '4%'

    delete from DEPARTMENT where DEPTNAME = 'Test'
    delete from DEPARTMENT where DEPTNAME = '4Test'
    select * from DEPARTMENT

Date Time Date/Time
  • CURRENT TIMESTAMP - insert the current date/time as a TIMESTAMP.
    Ex: insert into testing.TEST (timestamp) \
    values (CURRENT TIMESTAMP)
  • CURRENT DATE
  • CURRENT TIME
Comparators Compare

IN

  • select * where MYSTRING in ('hello','world')
  • select * where MYINTEGER in (1,2,3,4,5)
Left Join Left Join

Example #1:  Joins the MYADDRESS & MYSTATE tables together using the STATE field as the common value so that the STATENAME can be retrieved.

select MYADDRESS.STATE AS STATE, MYSTATE.STATENAME AS STATENAME \
from MYADDRESS \
left join MYSTATE as MYSTATE \
on MYSTATE.STATE = STATE \

Left Join Examples using the "SAMPLE" DB -- List Employee and the name of his work department.
select EMPLOYEE.EMPNO as EMPNO, FIRSTNME, MIDINIT, LASTNAME, WORKDEPT, DEPARTMENT.DEPTNAME as WORKDEPT_NAME from db2admin.EMPLOYEE as EMPLOYEE \
left join db2admin.DEPARTMENT as DEPARTMENT on DEPARTMENT.DEPTNO = EMPLOYEE.WORKDEPT \
where EMPLOYEE.EMPNO = '000010'

-- List Departments and it's Administrative Department
select DEPARTMENT.DEPTNO, DEPARTMENT.DEPTNAME, DEPARTMENT.ADMRDEPT, ADMINDEPT.DEPTNAME as ADMIN_DEPTNAME from db2admin.DEPARTMENT as DEPARTMENT \
left join db2admin.DEPARTMENT as ADMINDEPT on ADMINDEPT.DEPTNO = DEPARTMENT.ADMRDEPT

-- List of Employees and the projects that they have worked on.
select EMPLOYEE.EMPNO as EMPNO, FIRSTNME, MIDINIT, LASTNAME, PROJNO from db2admin.EMPLOYEE as EMPLOYEE \
left join db2admin.EMP_ACT as EMP_ACT on EMP_ACT.EMPNO = EMPLOYEE.EMPNO \
where EMPLOYEE.EMPNO = '000010'

-- List of Employees and the projects that they have worked on and the Project's name.
select EMPLOYEE.EMPNO as EMPNO, FIRSTNME, MIDINIT, LASTNAME, PROJNO from db2admin.EMPLOYEE as EMPLOYEE \
left join db2admin.EMP_ACT as EMP_ACT on EMP_ACT.EMPNO = EMPLOYEE.EMPNO \
where EMPLOYEE.EMPNO = '000010'

-- List of Employees and the projects that they have worked on and the Project's name with the Major Project name.
select EMPLOYEE.EMPNO as EMPNO, EMPLOYEE.FIRSTNME as FIRSTNME, EMPLOYEE.MIDINIT as MIDINT, EMPLOYEE.LASTNAME as LASTNAME, \
EMP_ACT.PROJNO as PROJNO, \
PROJECT.PROJNAME as PROJNAME, PROJECT.MAJPROJ as MAJPROJ, \
MAJOR_PROJECT.PROJNAME as MAJ_PROJ_NAME \
from db2admin.EMPLOYEE as EMPLOYEE \
left join db2admin.EMP_ACT as EMP_ACT on EMP_ACT.EMPNO = EMPLOYEE.EMPNO \
left join db2admin.PROJECT as PROJECT on PROJECT.PROJNO = EMP_ACT.PROJNO \
left join db2admin.PROJECT as MAJOR_PROJECT on MAJOR_PROJECT.PROJNO = PROJECT.MAJPROJ \
where EMPLOYEE.EMPNO = '000010'

Date example using the "Sample" DB -- Select records less than equal to a date ( <= )
select EMPNO, EMSTDATE from db2admin.EMP_ACT \
where EMSTDATE <= '01/01/1982'

-- Select records for a date ( = )
select EMPNO, EMSTDATE from db2admin.EMP_ACT \
where EMSTDATE = '06/01/1982'

-- Select records bases on a range.
select EMPNO, EMSTDATE from db2admin.EMP_ACT \
where EMSTDATE >= '06/01/1982' and EMSTDATE <= '07/01/1982'

-- Select records based on a year.
select EMPNO, EMSTDATE from db2admin.EMP_ACT \
where year(EMSTDATE) > 1982

Command Window (DOS)

 

Data Types

Documentation: DB2 Information Center, then "Books" tab, then click on "SQL Getting Started", then look for "Data Types" in the left navigation window.

Datatype Notes
INTEGER range is -2147483648 to 2147483647
SMALLINT range is -32768 to 32767
BIGINT range is -9223372036854775808 to 9223372036854775807
CHAR(x) Maximum length of 254
Ex: 'Some info '
VARCHAR(x) Maximum length of 32672
Ex: 'Some info '
LONG VARCHAR  
DATE 3 Parts: 1991-10-27
TIMESTAMP 7 Parts: 1991-10-27-13.30.05.000000
TIME 3 Parts: 13.30.05
DOUBLE range is -1.79769E+308 to -2.225E-307 or 2.225E-307 to 1.79769E+308 or zero
CLOB Length in Bytes
BLOB Length in Bytes
DECIMAL(x,x) Precision & Scale
range is -10**31+1 to 10**31-1
REAL range is -3.402E+38 to -1.175E-37 or 1.175E-37 to -3.402E+38 or zero
GRAPHIC(x) x must be between 1 and 127, inclusive.
A graphic string is a sequence of double-byte character data.