DB2

DB2 is an abbreviation for IBM Database 2 and was launched in June 1983 as a subsystem on MVS that allowed MVS users to build, access, and maintain relational databases using the well known Structured Query language (SQL).

Since then, DB2 has come a long way and provides facilities to exploit the latest hardware and software technologies, accommodating a majority of user requirements. The latest versions are available on almost all platforms, including Windows, HP-UX, Sun Solaris, Unix, AIX, NUMAQ, Linux, AS/400 and OS/390.

As the name suggests, DB2 "Universal Database" provides universal data types, universal integration, universal access from clients of all types, universal applicability (for all types of applications), universal scalability (across all types of platforms), universal reliability (for non-stop 24/7 processing) and universal manageability.

The ability to manage many concurrent users, very large databases, high transaction rates and deliver consistent rapid response is fundamental and delivered by DB2 through the wide range of platforms and the exploitation of platform-specific features. Beyond this, DB2 meets the requirements for high availability, low planned maintenance, wide connectivity, open standards and effective manageability.