Road Map to DB2 Programming

Using ODBC End-User Tools


	http://www.software.ibm.com/data/ The url takes you to the Data Management page. From there, click on DB2 Family, and then DB2 and Lotus Approach.	Provides more details about DB2 and Lotus Approach.

There might be cases where you need an application to perform a basic task, such as querying the database. You can use ODBC end-user tools such as Lotus Approach, Microsoft Access, and Microsoft VisualBasic to create these applications. ODBC tools provide a simpler alternative to developing applications than using a high-level programming language.

Lotus Approach provides two ways to access DB2 data. You can use the graphical interface to perform queries, develop reports, and analyze data. Or you can develop applications using LotusScript, a full-featured, object-oriented programming language that comes with a wide array of objects, events, methods, and properties, along with a built-in program editor. Figure 6 shows a query application developed using LotusScript.

Figure 6. A simple query application developed using LotusScript

Merits and Limitations

Merits Limitations
Quick access to data: Tools such as Lotus Approach provide a quick way to access data using their graphical interface.
Quick application development: Tools such as Lotus Approach provide a quick way to develop relatively simple applications using its scripting language.
Rapid skills transfer: If you have previous ODBC knowledge, you can use that knowledge to develop ODBC applications that access DB2 databases.
Not suitable for complex applications: The scripting language for some ODBC tools might not be suitable for developing complex applications. A high-level language such as C might be a more appropriate choice.
May not be able to access DB2 features and functions: You might not be able to access some DB2 features (such as large object support), or perform some DB2 functions (such as creating databases or indexes).

Merits	Limitations
Quick access to data: Tools such as Lotus Approach provide a quick way to access data using their graphical interface. Quick application development: Tools such as Lotus Approach provide a quick way to develop relatively simple applications using its scripting language. Rapid skills transfer: If you have previous ODBC knowledge, you can use that knowledge to develop ODBC applications that access DB2 databases.	Not suitable for complex applications: The scripting language for some ODBC tools might not be suitable for developing complex applications. A high-level language such as C might be a more appropriate choice. May not be able to access DB2 features and functions: You might not be able to access some DB2 features (such as large object support), or perform some DB2 functions (such as creating databases or indexes).

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