RE: DB2/400 comparisons with other relational databases (specific ally Oracle and SQL Server)

This is kind of funny,  unless we have all had our eyes closed, we
should have noticed that there have been a tremendous number of
enhancements (well changes anyway) to the 400's DB (what every you want
to call it).  I used to write the data management column for Midrange
Systems before they through in the towel, and as part of that did a lot
of looking, testing, and general research in DB2, SQL Server and Oracle.
Having a 20 year history in IBM Sys/38 and 400, I learned a lot about
SQL and how the other DBs put things together.  Even UDB DB2.  They DO
require someone with extensive knowledge in how to layout tables,
spaces, indexes, triggers, stored procedures, etc.

They do things very differently, and some of it is pretty good.  Some
drives you nuts!  Take a look at the new Ops Nav interface and what you
can do with the 400 database.  Look at what happens when you do an SQL
explain (or understand it, and why).  Lets face it - the rules of
developing systems are changing, it is getting more complicated, there
are more pieces to worry about, more technologies involved, more
"servers" to deal with.  NO one can be good at all of it.  A full DB
product can imbed much of the logic we have in traditional programs.
That is where the real benefit comes from, but that is also a huge
change in thinking and design.

The reality is, if what you have is working, keep it!  If you need
something new, then there are some very good tools, techniques, as long
as you understand the learning curve, cost, and benefit of them.

I remember using direct files (System/3) at one time too.  It was very
fast, but reorging was a pain in the ....  Let's face it, Some of what
we have had in the past is better than what we have now, some of what we
have now is better than what we used to have - the trick - finding the
best of both and making them work together for a reasonable cost.

John Bussert
Swift Technologies, Inc.
www.swiftorder.com
847-289-8339
847-289-8939 (fax)
jbussert@swiftorder.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Smith, Nelson [mailto:NSmith@lincare.com]
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2001 8:07 AM
To: 'midrange-l@midrange.com'
Subject: RE: DB2/400 comparisons with other relational databases
(specific ally Oracle and SQL Server)

Hi Alistair,

I am an AS400 "DBA" here and at my former company, however, as you
already
know (but not Server Dave, obviously), none of my duties remotely
resemble
the duties of the SQL Server DBA's (yes, multiple) that we also have
here.
About the only thing I do that is actually related to the database is to
enforce programming and nameing standards on the other programmers and
consult with them on the best way to do things related to triggers,
constraints, etc. I also perform all database changes on the production
system, just to keep everyone's hands off them.  I do nothing related to
allocating space for files, maintaining indexes, backing up, etc.  All
that
stuff is on auto-pilot.  On a 720 development machine with about 20
programmers and a 740 production machine connected to over 500 remote
sites,
my "database" duties probably amount to no more than an hour or two a
week.

I've seen employment ads offering $120M or more for Oracle DBA's.  Are
those
systems so bad you have to pay that kind of money just to "maintain" it?
Sheesh!  Maybe I should switch over......

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Alistair Rooney [SMTP:AlistairR@tbsa.co.za]
> Sent: Friday, September 28, 2001 5:00 AM
> To:   midrange-l@midrange.com
> Subject:      RE: DB2/400 comparisons with other relational databases
> (specifically Oracle and SQL Server)
>
> This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
> --
> [ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
> Just thought I'd stick in my .2c worth. I've never had the need to
> "administer" our DB2/400 database. I have, however, seen my colleagues
> having to have downtime on a fairly regular basis with their Oracle
(on
> HP-UX) and SQL server machines because of "database" problems. Most
> medium to large sites will employ a DBA for Oracle or SQL Server.
> Question: Do any 400 sites employ a DBA and if so then what do you do
> with him?
>
> Alistair
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chris Rehm [mailto:javadisciple@earthlink.net]
> Sent: 28 September 2001 10:24
> To: midrange-l@midrange.com
> Subject: Re: DB2/400 comparisons with other relational databases
> (specifically Oracle and SQL Server)
>
>
> On Friday 28 September 2001 12:28 am, Server Dave wrote:
> > Joe,
> > Without spending a great deal of time-this info is backed up in
print
> -two
> > sources
> > on Microsofts site.and is common knowlege too people "who know".
>
> Now that just gags me. 'common knowlege too [sic] people "who know"'.
> Ridiculous. Just admit you don't have the answers to the questions and
> move
> on. Your opinion is obvious and from your "source" I can see it comes
> from
> Microsoft's marketing info.
>
> Just say so.
>
>
> --
> Chris Rehm
> javadisciple@earthlink.net
>
> And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart...
> ...Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other
> commandment greater than these. Mark 12:30-31
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