Free IBM Db2 13 for z/OS Database Administrator - Professional Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the IBM Db2 13 for z/OS Database Administrator - Professional practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A logical entity has separate attributes for January, February, and March salary amounts. What first normal form issue does this design illustrate?

   1. A.A repeating group of attributes with the same meaningCorrect answer: A
   2. B.A non-key attribute depending on part of a composite key
   3. C.A non-key attribute depending on another non-key attribute
   4. D.Two independent multivalued relationships in one entity

   Explanation: IBM states that in first normal form an entity contains "never multiple repeating attributes". The separate monthly salary attributes represent the same kind of fact as a repeating group.

   Reference: Db2 13 for z/OS: Administration Guide — Chapter 1, Entity normalization, First normal form, p. 10

2. 2Which Db2 command displays the status of a database and its table spaces and index spaces?

   1. A.START DATABASE
   2. B.STOP DATABASE
   3. C.DISPLAY DATABASECorrect answer: C
   4. D.ALTER DATABASE

   Explanation: IBM states, "You can use the DISPLAY DATABASE command to obtain information about the status of databases and the table spaces and index spaces within each database."

   Reference: Db2 13 for z/OS: Administration Guide — Chapter 8, Monitoring databases, p. 492

3. 3A security administrator grants system DBADM authority to a user who must manage Db2 objects but must not receive the associated data access or privilege-granting authorities by default. Which grant clauses address both restrictions?

   1. A.WITHOUT DATAACCESS and WITHOUT ACCESSCTRLCorrect answer: A
   2. B.WITHOUT DATAACCESS only
   3. C.WITHOUT ACCESSCTRL only
   4. D.Neither WITHOUT clause

   Explanation: IBM states system DBADM normally has both associated authorities; it gives the example "GRANT DBADM WITHOUT DATAACCESS WITHOUT ACCESSCTRL ON SYSTEM TO DB2ADMIN1;" to omit both.

   Reference: Db2 13 for z/OS: Managing Security — Chapter 2, Altering a table with system DBADM authority

4. 4A DBA plans periodic reviews of Db2 performance data. What should the review examine before focusing on details?

   1. A.Overall data for problem areasCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Only individual SQL text
   3. C.Only the most recent exception
   4. D.Every trace record in full detail

   Explanation: IBM recommends, "Review the data on a gross level, looking for problem areas." Details are reviewed when a problem arises or measurements need verification.

   Reference: Db2 13 for z/OS: Managing Performance — Chapter 2, Planning to review performance data, p. 9

5. 5An explicit CREATE TABLESPACE statement outside the work file database omits SEGSIZE. Which subsystem parameter specifies the default segment size?

   1. A.DPSEGSZCorrect answer: A
   2. B.PCTFREE_UPD
   3. C.DSMAX
   4. D.CTHREAD

   Explanation: IBM states that "The DPSEGSZ subsystem parameter specifies the default segment size in pages for a CREATE TABLESPACE statement that omits the SEGSIZE clause." The documented exclusions include implicitly created and work file table spaces.

   Reference: Db2 13 for z/OS: Installation and Migration Guide — Chapter 5, DEFAULT PARTITION SEGSIZE field, pp. 174–175

6. 6Which subsystem parameter controls whether a Db2 subsystem can use accelerator servers?

   1. A.ACCELCorrect answer: A
   2. B.ACCEL_MODEL
   3. C.QUERY_ACCEL_OPTIONS
   4. D.QUERY_ACCEL_WAITFORDATA

   Explanation: IBM states, "The ACCEL subsystem parameter controls whether a Db2 subsystem can use accelerator servers."

   Reference: Db2 13 for z/OS: Managing Performance — Chapter 71, Enabling acceleration of SQL queries, p. 904

7. 7An inventory entity has a composite primary key of part and warehouse. Warehouse address depends on warehouse alone. Which normalization problem does this dependency demonstrate?

   1. A.A repeating group violating first normal form
   2. B.A partial-key dependency violating second normal formCorrect answer: B
   3. C.A non-key dependency violating third normal form
   4. D.Independent multivalued facts violating fourth normal form

   Explanation: IBM explains that a second normal form violation occurs when "a nonprimary key attribute is a fact about a subset of a composite key". Warehouse address depends on just the warehouse part of the key.

   Reference: Db2 13 for z/OS: Administration Guide — Chapter 1, Entity normalization, Second normal form, p. 10

8. 8A DBA issues START DATABASE with SPACENAM naming one table space and PART(1,2). What is selected?

   1. A.Partitions 1 and 2 of the named table spaceCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Every partition of the named table space
   3. C.Every partition except 1 and 2 of the named table space
   4. D.Partitions 1 and 2 of every table space in the database

   Explanation: The guide says, "Use the PART keyword of the START DATABASE command to start the individual partitions of a table space." The state of other partitions is unchanged.

   Reference: Db2 13 for z/OS: Administration Guide — Chapter 8, Starting databases, p. 490

9. 9An authorization ID holds SYSCTRL but has no separate privileges to access user data. Which action requires an additional privilege?

   1. A.Running an allowable utility
   2. B.Starting a database
   3. C.Directly accessing user dataCorrect answer: C
   4. D.Displaying database status

   Explanation: IBM states that with SYSCTRL "you cannot access user data directly unless you are explicitly granted the privileges to do so." SYSCTRL includes broad system administration capabilities.

   Reference: Db2 13 for z/OS: Managing Security — Chapter 2, SYSCTRL administrative authority, pp. 39–40

10. 10An organization collects a large volume of historical performance reports. After an appropriate retention period, what does IBM suggest keeping to support historical comparisons?

    1. A.A representative sample of collected dataCorrect answer: A
    2. B.Only reports containing failed transactions
    3. C.Only reports from the busiest single day
    4. D.Every raw record without any reduction

    Explanation: IBM says to "discard most of the data you have collected, but keep a representative sample" after a certain period. The actual retention plan depends on the organization.

    Reference: Db2 13 for z/OS: Managing Performance — Chapter 2, Planning to review performance data, p. 9