DB OBSERVER - Support Tools for DB2 North 40 Software 202 Argyle Road Brooklyn, NY 11218 Contact : Marc Rettig Telephone : (718) 282-0210 Compuserve: 76703,1037 This is a description of North 40's new software for DB2 users. I've posted here to invite comment, and to help people decide if they want to take the time to download the DB Observer demo from this Data Library. GENERAL DB Observer is an integrated collection of tools for people who work with IBM's mainframe relational database - DB2. It addresses problems of application performance, management of complex databases, database design, and efficient use of DASD space and CPU time. Each tool is intended to help DBAs, designers, and programmers in their daily life with DB2. OVERVIEW There are eight tools in the DB Observer suite: a Structure Browser, a DB2 Calculator, an Access Privileges tool, an SQL Query Analyzer, a Time Estimate tool for DB2 utilities, a Drop Consequences tool, a Space and Reorg Analyzer, and a Table Import/Export facility. The broad range of tools provides assistance for nearly every phase of DB2 development: design, coding, testing, maintenance, and administration. FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION (In this description, the term "object" is used as a generic term for databases, tablespaces, tables, views, indexes, storage groups, plans, etc.) DB Observer provides the following facilities: o An SQL Query Analyzer, which lists the source for all the queries in a plan, and presents a detailed analysis of SQL statements, either from a plan or entered by a user. The analysis shows path selection, index usage, the order in which tables will be accessed, locking information, and much more. The user can request detailed information about each object referenced in the plan. o A Structure Browser, providing both overview and detailed information about the structures contained in the DB2 catalog tables. It clearly shows the relationships between objects, and details about any object are readily available. The user can work with selected sets of objects -- those related to a particular application, for example. o A facility for listing Access Privileges by Authorization ID, object type, and object name. It answers questions like, "What users have what kind of privileges for the tables in this database?", or "What can user so-and-so do, and who GRANTed those privileges?" o A Time Estimator, which estimates the time required for the reorganization, load, copy, and recovery of DB2 tablespaces and indexes. o A DB2 Calculator, which computes the storage requirements of DB2 objects. It can be used to see current usage and to project future requirements based on changes to existing databases or descriptions of new designs. o A Drop Consequences tool, which displays all objects which will be affected by dropping any DB2 object. o A Space and Reorg Tool for DASD management. This tool provides three views of tablespaces and indexes: a map of the free space available in each page, a graph of how space is being used, and an analysis of the need for reorganization. o An Import/Export facility, for saving and restoring sets of test tables. This facility is more convenient than the usual unload/load utilities, and lets development teams manage test data throughout a project's life cycle. o Complete online documentation, including ISPF help screens and a copy of the User's Manual available for ISPF Browse. HIGHLIGHTS OF DB OBSERVER o A consistent user interface and standard use of ISPF means little training time and smooth integration with software from other vendors. o Extremely flexible selection screens let users view only information of interest, simplifying work in a complex environment. o Every tool allows information to be stored in TSO datasets for printing or use with other software. o There are provisions for security, for those shops which do not allow unrestricted access to the DB2 catalog tables. BENEFITS DB Observer reduces the cost of designing, coding, maintaining, and administrating DB2 applications, and helps users create smaller and faster programs. It does this in several ways: o It helps programmers write efficient SQL (Query Analyzer). o It makes it easy to picture the structure of large databases (Structure Browser). o It reveals inefficient use of DASD space (Space & Reorg Tool). o It helps forecast the consequences of changing an application (DB2 Calculator, Drop Consequences). o It helps schedule resources and job streams (Time Estimator, DB2 Calculator). o It makes the information contained in the DB2 catalog available to anyone who needs it, without requiring knowledge of its structure. This lightens the load on the "gurus," freeing them for more important work. (Browser, Calculator, Access Privileges, Drop Consequences) o It helps groups and individuals manage sets of test tables (Table Import/Export). ENVIRONMENT Interactive ISPF SOFTWARE PREREQUISITES TSO/ISPF, DB2 AVAILABILITY DATE April, 1988. SQL/DS version - 3rd quarter 1988. -------------------- Copyright 1988, North 40 Software, Inc. DB2 is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation databases, database desig