Blog

3 min read

How and When to Use DB2 Scrollable Cursors

If you are using DB2 V7 or higher, consider using scrollable cursors. With scrollable cursors, you can move directly to the rows you want without having to FETCH every other row returned by the cursor.

11 min read

Using Nulls in DB2

Nulls are clearly one of the most misunderstood features of DB2. Here are some examples, tips & guidelines from Craig Mullins to demystify the use of nulls.

4 min read

DSNTEP2 aka Batch SPUFI

DSNTEP2 is an application program that can be used to issue DB2 dynamic SQL statements.

2 min read

VSAM Demystified

VSAM is used “under the covers” of every DB2 for z/OS page set. VSAM is also used as the storage mechanism by some IMS databases.

3 min read

Minimizing Lock Contention Issues

I frequently get e-mails with DB2 questions and I plan to start posting answers to some of the more common ones up here.

8 min read

No Black Boxes!

First of all, before I go any further, let’s first define what I mean by a “black box.” If I plan to recommend that you prohibit them we better both understand what it is we are talking about prescribing.

7 min read

DB2 Compression: z/OS versus LUW

Data compression for non-mainframe DB2 is quite a bit different than it is for DB2 for z/OS.

4 min read

The Aging Mainframer

A continuing, lingering perception that the mainframe is dead continues on in some parts of the IT industry.

3 min read

Webinar: Building a Performance Centric Organization

Database performance problems are not caused by magic. Indeed, all performance problems are always caused by change.