What SQL means for most businesses
In summary, the benefits of using a data-centric approach that features the usage of SQL and modern database functionality are:
Faster IT response to business requirements
Data-centric programming enables developers to focus their efforts on delivering business logic
and relieves them from the responsibilities of implementing relational data processing. The result
is a reduction in the amount of code that developers have to write as they rely more on the DB2
engine to take care of the implementation details. The SQL interface also offers a much larger set
of features and functions to choose from which provides developers more opportunities to offload
processing into the DB2 engine instead of creating application logic to perform the processing.
Reduced software development and maintenance costs
The movement of common business rules and processes into the database engine results in a
smaller amount of software code that the IT teams need to write and maintain. These centralized
business rules and processes are automatically reused instead of being recreated as new
applications and business functions are brought online.
More reliable data to run your business on
Embedding common business rules into your database objects means that these rules are
enforced regardless of the interface used to access the data. This centralization of rules within
the database eliminates the exposure of tools and devices bypassing the rules and controls
associated with your business data.
Improved performance and scalability
A data-centric approach results in DB2 performing tasks that are normally done at the application
layer. Performance of the applications can be improved overall because the DB2 engine is doing
the processing at a lower level in the system than the original application logic. In addition, datacentric applications benefit from the fact that IBM is putting almost all of its investment in SQL performance enhancements, which include self-tuning capabilities.
Sensitive data protection
Sensitive data is more easily protected with encryption using the SQL Field Procedure support.
This technology permits the deployment of column-level encryption solutions with minimal
disruption to existing applications.
Minimize risk with clear documentation
The documentation and structure of many DB2 for i databases probably exist only in the minds of
developers. With the proliferation of data modeling tools for SQL databases, complete and easyDDS and SQL – The Winning Combination for DB2 for i easy-to-understand documentation is just a click away after moving your databases over to SQL.
Access to a larger pool of talented developers to build IBM i solutions
While it is a fact that there are fewer programmers versed in the IBM i DDS and record-level
access interfaces coming out of universities, the vast majority of new programmers do have SQL
experience. Using DB2 for i support for procedural SQL objects, such as stored procedures and
functions, a new SQL developer can quickly contribute to the delivery of an IBM i application with
a very small learning curve.
Education and new tools
As with any new technology, SQL requires a change in thinking and the judicious use of tools to fully exploit its potential. Tools are available to automate the SQL conversion process and model your databases. Education offerings exist to help developers leverage the set processing capabilities of SQL and shift to a data-centric approach where business processing is moved from the applications into DB2. The resources are all in place for a smooth transition to SQL, which places your team in position to be more responsive to business requirements.
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