Terminology: SQL versus traditional file access

Terminology: SQL versus traditional file access

DB2^® UDB for iSeries™ provides two access methods for manipulating database tables and data: SQL and system file access methods. These access methods use different words to describe some similar concepts.
As an interface to DB2 UDB for iSeries, the DB2 Query Manager and SQL Development Kit licensed program adds an interactive query and report writing interface, as well as precompilers and tools, to help you write SQL application programs in high-level languages. Conforming to the industry standard SQL, the SQL implementation for the i5/OS^® operating system allows you to define, manipulate, query, and control access to your data. It works equally well with i5/OS files and SQL tables.

SQL versus traditional file access terminology

SQL term Traditional file access term

Schema. A group of related objects that consists of a library, a journal, a journal receiver, an SQL catalog, and an optional data dictionary. A schema enables the user to find the objects by name. Another name for a schema is collection. Library. A group of related objects that enables the user to find the objects by name.
Table. A set of columns and rows. Physical file. A set of records.
Row. The horizontal part of a table containing a serial set of columns. Record. A set of fields.
Column. The vertical part of a table of on data type. Field. One of more bytes of related information of one data type.
View. A subset of columns and rows of one or more tables. Logical file. A subset of fields or records of up to 32 physical files.
Index. A collection of data in the columns of a table, logically arranged in ascending or descending order. Index. A type of logical file.
Package. An object that contains control structures for SQL statements to be used by an application server. SQL package. An object that contains control structures for SQL statements to be used by an application server.
Catalog. A set of tables and views that contain information about tables, packages, views, indexes, and constraints. No similar object. However, the Display File Description (DSPFD) and Display File Field Description (DSPFFD) commands provide some of the same information that querying an SQL catalog provides.

Parent topic:
Database overview

SQL term	Traditional file access term
Schema. A group of related objects that consists of a library, a journal, a journal receiver, an SQL catalog, and an optional data dictionary. A schema enables the user to find the objects by name. Another name for a schema is collection.	Library. A group of related objects that enables the user to find the objects by name.
Table. A set of columns and rows.	Physical file. A set of records.
Row. The horizontal part of a table containing a serial set of columns.	Record. A set of fields.
Column. The vertical part of a table of on data type.	Field. One of more bytes of related information of one data type.
View. A subset of columns and rows of one or more tables.	Logical file. A subset of fields or records of up to 32 physical files.
Index. A collection of data in the columns of a table, logically arranged in ascending or descending order.	Index. A type of logical file.
Package. An object that contains control structures for SQL statements to be used by an application server.	SQL package. An object that contains control structures for SQL statements to be used by an application server.
Catalog. A set of tables and views that contain information about tables, packages, views, indexes, and constraints.	No similar object. However, the Display File Description (DSPFD) and Display File Field Description (DSPFFD) commands provide some of the same information that querying an SQL catalog provides.