Level Set 20.0.15 (LU16125) for the Database Management Solutions for Db2 for z/OS is now available. This Level Set PTF helps you identify your current level of maintenance and installed features.
Features Applied with Level Set 20.0.15
This list summarizes the features that are delivered by applying the PTF for Level Set 20.0.15 (LU). No features in this Level Set require activation.
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Db2 13 FL506 Support for Multiple-row INSERTs. The Database Management Solutions for Db2 now recognize the new syntax format for multiple-row INSERTs in generated DDL. This feature improves productivity by reducing the number of INSERT statements that are needed and processed.
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Db2 13 FL506 Support for up to 64 SQL Traces. Detector now supports starting and stopping up to 64 SQL traces, as well as viewing and writing trace data to the SQL trace data set. On Db2 13 subsystems with FL506 activated, this enhancement increases the number of active SQL traces that you can monitor to improve performance.
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DDL Formatting enhancements for routines. When generating DDL for routines, words are no longer split across routine body statements. This enhancement improves the readability of the generated DDL and maintains the indentation level when possible for consistent formatting.
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New Xmanager Health Check and New Level Set Warning Messages. A new Xmanager health check identifies if your Level Set environment is complete and validates your current level, warning you if the future required level is not met. The health check provides messaging in the Level Set Report, in the Health Check Reports, and on Xmanager startup. To prevent Xmanager from failing and to ensure that the Database Management Solutions for Db2 remain usable, use this information to activate the required level set as soon as possible.
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Detector enhancement to Identify the Active Collection Profile. When an active Detector collection is using a collection profile, you can now quickly identify the active collection profile from a long list of profiles rather than having to scroll through multiple screens looking for the profile name. The profile name is now highlighted on the Detector Collection Profile Display panel and the ACTIVE column is set to YES.
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Log Analyzer enhancement to provide a New Informational Message on Impact of Log Reading. Before the log is read, detailed information is now provided about the processing of log data sets. The new LAE0494I message indicates the number of archive log data sets on disk and on tape, the number of active log data sets, and the log processing range. You can use this information to understand the impact of reading the log before processing begins.
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RC/Compare, RC/Migrator, and RC/Update enhancement to Generate Global Level Tablespace Attributes. CREATE TABLESPACE statements are now generated during analysis that include global level and partition level attributes for non-PBG partitioned tablespaces. Doing so ensures that the generated DDL maintains values from the Db2 catalog table.
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Recovery Analyzer New SHARE-OPTION Keyword Support. The recovery strategy generation utility (RECOVER-TOOL STRATEGY-GENERATE) supports a new keyword SHARE-OPTION. Database administrators can use this keyword to explicitly specify a share option value for target recovery strategies when executing the strategy generation batch utility. The user ID and secondary SQL IDs are checked to allow users to analyze a strategy or to use a strategy as a template.
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SYSVIEW for Db2 enhancement to Support New Explain Table Columns. New columns and new index objects are now supported for explain tables. This new information is helpful to administrators who want to know the connection type, and the client's user ID, application name, and workstation name for an application plan or package.
For more information, see New Features in the Release Notes in the Database Management Solutions for Db2 for z/OS documentation.
Important! Level Set Activation Required
Starting with the PTF for Level Set 20.0.16 (planned for release in May 2025), Level Set 20.0.01 or higher must be activated in your environments. Xmanager will not start at this maintenance level if the active Level Set is 20.0.00.
Activation of a Level Set is similar to activation of Db2 function levels and enables users to control when certain functions or behaviors occur. Activation also makes it possible for you to revert to previous behaviors, similar to Compatibility Mode in Db2 terminology. Activation of a Level Set lets you use any features in the Level Set that require activation.
To enable these capabilities, activate Level Set 20.0.01 or higher before the PTF for Level Set 20.0.16 is applied. Activation of Level Set 20.0.01 enables customers to roll their Xmanager maintenance across members of a sysplex and avoid an outage as maintenance is applied.
For information about activating a Level Set versus applying a Level Set PTF, see Activate a Level Set in the Database Management Solutions for Db2 documentation. This article details activation prerequisites, activation considerations, examples, and an activation use case. A video is also available that demonstrates the activation steps.
For a list of the available Level Set PTFs and their corresponding features, see New Features.
API Documentation Improvements
The Database Management Solutions for Db2 now offers improved end-to-end API documentation with the following enhancements:
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Moved all configuration and integration content under Installing. This update includes new topics to address REST API and Zowe requirements as you prepare for configuration of the REST API.
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Added additional architectural images to ensure an understanding of the API structure and configuration scope.
For more information about the applications that require REST API configuration, see Configure the REST API (DBM Data Service). Check your bookmarked pages and update accordingly.
Db2 Tools 20.0 Validation Project
Join the Db2 Tools Validation Project, where the Broadcom product teams reveal upcoming features and seek your feedback. See what we are developing, as we develop it. Validation meetings are your best opportunity to influence the development of the Database Management Solutions for Db2 for z/OS products.
Register today at: https://validate.broadcom.com/key/db2tools200.
Modernization for Mainframe Database Management Beta Program
Another reason to join the Db2 Tools Validation Project is to participate in our Modernization for Mainframe Database Management Beta program, which includes:
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A web user interface that provides an intuitive experience for database administrators and application developers, boosting productivity while minimizing the learning curve. You can perform catalog navigation for Db2 objects and execute Db2 commands with type-ahead suggestions and reference links to related documentation. You can also use the SQL Editor to build and run SQL.
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A Visual Studio Code extension that enables generation, self-provisioning, and deployment of DDL to improve productivity for application developers. Db2 management history, artifacts, and execution context are saved to track changes effectively.
By participating in the Beta program, you can:
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Help shape and influence our next-generation user experience.
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Have early access to the software.
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Directly interact with our Database Management for Db2 subject matter experts.
In return, we ask that you provide us with regular feedback about the user experience and feature set that is offered through the capabilities of this new user interface.