IBM Db2 12: SQL Workshop for Experienced Users

Unit 1: SQL Introduction

• Describe the structure and purpose of Db2 v12, including its system catalog, database organization, and key SQL components
• Explain how Db2 catalogs and system tables store metadata, and how they can be queried for database object information
• Demonstrate the use of OLAP ranking functions (RANK, DENSE_RANK, ROW_NUMBER) to analyze and order query results

Unit 2: Create Objects

• Create and modify tables, columns, and constraints
• Use generated columns to automate calculations and reduce dependency on triggers
• Optimize queries with expression-based indexes for computed values
• Implement referential integrity, check constraints, and triggers for enforcing business rules
• Leverage views and materialized query tables to simplify data access and reporting

Unit 3: JOIN

• Use inner and outer joins to retrieve related data across tables
• Optimize query performance with hash joins for large datasets
• Leverage lateral joins for more flexible row-by-row processing
• Perform self-joins to analyze hierarchical or recursive relationships
• Utilize set operators like UNION, EXCEPT, and INTERSECT for advanced data merging

Unit 4: CASE, CAST, Summary (Materialized Query) Tables, and Temporary Tables

• Use CASE expressions to apply conditional logic within queries
• Perform data type conversions using CAST
• Leverage summary tables and MQTs to precompute and store aggregated data
• Implement temporary tables and SGTTs to handle intermediate results

Unit 5: Using Subqueries

• Use basic subqueries to filter and retrieve data dynamically
• Leverage correlated subqueries for row-dependent queries
• Apply EXISTS, NOT EXISTS, IN,  and NOT IN predicates for conditional data retrieval
• Utilize LATERAL subqueries to execute row-by-row subqueries for sequential logic processing
• Optimize query performance by structuring subqueries efficiently

Unit 6: Scalar Functions

• Use string functions to extract, modify, and format text data
• Perform numeric and mathematical operations, including logarithmic, exponential, and trigonometric calculations
• Apply LISTAGG to concatenate multiple row values into a single string
• Work with data and time functions to extract, manipulate, and format timestamps

Unit 7: Table Expressions and Recursive SQL

• Use nested table expressions to create temporary result sets for complex queries
• Leverage common table expressions (CTEs) for modular and reusable SQL structures
• Implement recursive SQL to process hierarchical relationships
• Apply performance optimization techniques to improve efficiency in recursive queries

Unit 8: An Introduction to UDTs / UDFs and Stored Procedures

• Define User-Defined Distinct Types (UDTs) to create custom data types for specialized business needs
• Implement User-Defined Functions (UDFs)
• Utilize stored procedures to encapsulate complex database logic for performance efficiency
• Leverage ARRAY data types to pass structured lists of values within SQL queries and procedures

Unit 9: SQL and Db2 Performance

• Use indexes, clustering, and predicate pushdown
• Analyze and optimize SQL execution plans with EXPLAIN and VISUAL EXPLAIN
• Improve filtering and sorting performance using predicate processing techniques
• Leverage RUNSTATS enhancements to ensure up-to-date statistics for query optimization