Some more pureXML bootcamps this year

Both in the USA:
Dec 1-2 in Minneapolis, MN
Dec 15-16 in Hardford, CT

Go to this link to sign up: https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/wikis/display/im/DB2+9.7+pureXML+Bootcamp

Performance: Statement concentrator, small knob with an impact

First off, let me start by pointing out that it is best practice to use parameter markers for repeating, similar dynamic SQL queries. Instead of issuing

select fname, lname from person where id=15

and

select fname, lname from person where id=266

one could write

select fname, lname from person where id=?

and provide the 15 or 266 as parameter to the query. The reason is that every SQL statement needs to be compiled before it can be executed. Query compilation takes some time and if you need to repeat it gazillion times, it will add up. If a parameter marker is used, the statement is compiled once and DB2 remembers how to execute the statement (the code produced is called package) in its package cache. Whenever the statement is executed again, the compilation phase can be skipped, the package is taken from the cache, the parameter is replaced with its actual value, and you have the results back.

Now to the statement concentrator, a new feature introduced in DB2 9.7. Sometimes, it is not possible to use parameter markers or the application is third-party code and it cannot be changed. That's when the statement concentrator comes in handy. Once it is enabled for literals, the new logic detects repeating similar statements that don't use parameter markers. It then tries to reuse an already existing package from the package cache to skip compilation and to save time.

The statement concentrator is OFF by default and it can be configured on the server (STMT_CONC in the database configuration) and/or for clients (preferred) using, e.g., CLI/ODBC or JDBC/SQLJ. Remember: If you want to benefit from the statement concentrator, you need to be active and enable it. And yes, parameter markers and the statement concentrator work for XML-related queries, too...

Boring news? Yet another benchmark record for DB2 on POWER

Yesterday, IBM announced another world record, this time for the Two-Tier SAP Sales and Distribution (SD) Standard Application Benchmark. Again, this was based on DB2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows running on the IBM POWER platform.

Now combine this very competitive speed and throughput with very competitive pricing and you should have a winner. If you are on Oracle right now then, yes, DB2 understands PL/SQL as well.

Where do you want to have a DB2 pureXML bootcamp?

A DB2 pureXML bootcamp is a 2 or 3 day long event where IBM experts teach business partners (BPs) and sometimes customers all about using XML together with DB2. A list of upcoming pureXML bootcamps is at the bootcamp and education overview wiki at developerWorks. The next scheduled pureXML bootcamp are in Zagreb (Croatia) at the end of October and in Atlanta (Georgia, US) in early November.

Now my question to you: Where do you want to see a bootcamp? Don't be shy...

DB2 Advanced Enterprise Server Edition: All you need in one package

On October 5th IBM announced a new edition of DB2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows: The DB2 Advanced Enterprise Server Edition (AESE). It is based on the Enterprise Server Edition (ESE) and bundles several of the most valuable (in terms of usefulness) features into a single package.

Some of the Optim tools are already included in the AESE and on the engine side data compression (tables, indexes, XML data, temporary data), HADR and Q-Replication for realizing your high availability and disaster recovery solution of choice, label-based access control (LBAC) for greater data security, and data federation for DB2 and Oracle databases are some of the features that are part of the bundle.

And if you wonder: pureXML is always included free of charge, even in the free Express-C edition of DB2.

Using DB2 pureXML and ODF Spreadsheets

If you are using an office suite that supports the Open Document Format (ODF), such as OpenOffice.org or Lotus Symphony, and are a database/XML fan(atic) like I, then the artice "Using DB2 pureXML and ODF Spreadsheets" should be something for you. The most recent e-bulletin of the IDUG Solution Journal shows how you can process ODF-based documents by using XQuery inside DB2. Manipulate spreadsheets or text documents from the "tip of a query editor"...

New fixpack (FP3) for DB2 9.7

DB2 9.7.3 is now available at this link. An overview of the changes can be found in in the Information Center and a more detailed list should be available later on here.

Update on 9/29/2010: Apparently there are some issues with the fixpack image for the server and it has been removed. Some information is in this document.

Update on 10/04/2010: The images are now available.

Zeppelin: There are no whales in Lake of Constance

The Zeppelin NT is built in Friedrichshafen where I live. I can see the Zeppelin almost daily on its way from and to the airport (FDH). However, riding the zeppelin here in Germany is different from that one with home base in the San Francisco Bay Area: There are no whales.

The video below is a short report about the recent trip of Airship Ventures' zeppelin north to the Seattle, WA, area, supporting a whale watching mission. After watching it, I feel ready for the weekend...