An application that uses an embedded SQL interface requires a precompiler to convert the SQL statements into code, which is then compiled, bound to the database, and executed. In contrast, a DB2 CLI application does not have to be precompiled or bound, but instead uses a standard set of functions to execute SQL statements and related services at run time.
This difference is important because, traditionally, precompilers have been specific to each database product, which effectively ties your applications to that product. DB2 CLI enables you to write portable applications that are independent of any particular database product. This independence means DB2 CLI applications do not have to be recompiled or rebound to access different DB2 databases, including DRDA databases. They just connect to the appropriate database at run time.