More About Qshell's db2 Command

Dear Readers:

Two Midrange Guru readers, Doug and Trevor, have complained about a problem with Qshell's db2 command, a topic about which I wrote--"Access the Database from Qshell,"-- and published in the November 15, 2002 issue.

Trevor wrote:

The tip you provided on November 15 in Midrange Guru is great. I've used Qshell for a lot of my Java testing.

If I use the db2 utility to execute an SQL update command, the database is updated. However, when I use the db2 utility to execute a select command, I get no output.

I have more information, including new enhancements that have just been released by PTF.

The good folks at IBM were kind enough to check into the problem, even though db2 is not a supported utility. It turns out that the db2 utility is one they use internally for certain tasks, so it lacks certain functionality in the various releases. The problem with select statements was not fixed until V5R1, and will never be fixed in earlier releases.

The good news is that IBM is continuing to enhance the db2 utility and has just released a new V5R2 PTF to add more power to the db2 command. The PTF is SI07040, and here is a document that describes the db2 utility after application of the PTF.

IBM still does not support the db2 utility, so I recommend you not rely on it for production work.

-- Ted

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