DB2 Version 9.7 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows

IBM data server client types

The following lists the IBM data server client and driver types available to you:

• IBM Data Server Driver for JDBC and SQLJ
• IBM Data Server Driver for ODBC and CLI
• IBM Data Server Driver Package
• IBM Data Server Runtime Client
• IBM Data Server Client

Each IBM data server client and driver provides a particular type of support:

• For Java™ applications only, use IBM Data Server Driver for JDBC and SQLJ.
• For applications using ODBC or CLI only, use IBM Data Server Driver for ODBC and CLI. (Also referred to as cli driver.)
• For applications using ODBC, CLI, .NET, OLE DB, PHP, Ruby, JDBC, or SQLJ, use IBM Data Server Driver Package.
• If you need DB2® Command Line Processor Plus (CLPPlus) support, use IBM Data Server Driver Package.
• If you need DB2 command line processor (CLP) support and basic client support for running and deploying applications, use IBM Data Server Runtime Client.
• If you need support for database administration, and application development using an application programming interface (API), such as ODBC, CLI, .NET, or JDBC, use IBM Data Server Client.

IBM Data Server Driver for JDBC and SQLJ

IBM Data Server Driver for JDBC and SQLJ is the default driver for Java stored procedures and user-defined functions. This driver provides support for client applications and applets that are written in Java using JDBC to access local or remote servers, and SQLJ for embedded static SQL in Java applications.

IBM Data Server Driver for ODBC and CLI

Data Server Driver for ODBC and CLI is a lightweight deployment solution designed for independent software vendors (ISV) deployments. This driver, also referred to as cli driver, provides runtime support for applications using ODBC API, or CLI API without need of installing the Data Server Client or the Data Server Runtime Client. This driver is available only as a tar file, not as an installable image. Messages are reported only in English.

The IBM Data Server Driver for ODBC and CLI provides:

• runtime support for the CLI API;
• runtime support for the ODBC API;
• runtime support for the XA API;
• database connectivity;
• support for DB2 Interactive Call Level Interface (db2cli);
• LDAP Database Directory support; and
• tracing, logging, and diagnostic support.

IBM Data Server Driver Package,

IBM Data Server Driver Package is a lightweight deployment solution that provides runtime support for applications using ODBC, CLI, .NET, OLE DB, PHP, Ruby, JDBC, or SQLJ without the need of installing Data Server Runtime Client or Data Server Client. This driver has a small footprint and is designed to be redistributed by independent software vendors (ISVs), and to be used for application distribution in mass deployment scenarios typical of large enterprises.

The IBM Data Server Driver Package capabilities include:

• The DB2 Command Line Processor Plus (CLPPlus) for dynamically creating, editing, and running SQL statements and scripts.
• Support for applications that use ODBC, CLI, PHP, or Ruby to access databases.
• Support for client applications and applets that are written in Java using JDBC, and for embedded SQL for Java (SQLJ).
• IBM Informix® Dynamic Server support for .NET, PHP, and Ruby.
• Support for running embedded SQL applications. No precompiler or bind capabilities are provided.
• Application header files to rebuild the PHP and Ruby drivers.
• Support for DB2 Interactive Call Level Interface (db2cli).
• Support for the for DRDA® traces (db2drdat).
• On Windows® operating systems, IBM Data Server Driver Package also provides support for applications that use .NET or OLE DB to access databases. In addition, this is available as an installable image, and merge modules are available to allow you to easily embed the driver in a Windows Installer-based installation.

IBM Data Server Runtime Client

The IBM Data Server Runtime Client provides a way to run applications on remote databases. GUI tools are not shipped with the IBM Data Server Runtime Client.

Capabilities include:

• The DB2 command line processor (CLP) for issuing commands. The CLP also provides a basic way to perform remote administration of servers.
• Base client support to handle database connections, SQL statements, XQuery statements, and commands.
• Support for common database access interfaces: JDBC, ADO.NET, OLE DB, ODBC, Command Line Interface (CLI), PHP, and Ruby. This support includes drivers and capabilities to define data sources. For example, for ODBC, installing an IBM data server client installs the ODBC driver and registers the driver. Application developers and other users can use the Windows ODBC Data Source Administrator tool to define data sources.
• Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) exploitation.
• Support for common network communication protocols: TCP/IP, and Named Pipe.
• Support for installing multiple copies of a client on the same computer. These copies can be the same or different versions.
• License terms that allow free redistribution of IBM Data Server Runtime Client with your application.
• smaller deployment footprint compared to that of the full IBM Data Server Client in terms of installation image size and disk space required.
• A catalog that stores information for connecting to databases and servers.
• Packing advantages on Windows operating systems: You can package the client with your application to provide connectivity for that application. Also, the client is available as Windows Installer merge modules that enable you to include the RTCL DLL files in your application installation package. This approach also enables you to include only the parts of the client that you need with your application.
• IBM Informix Dynamic Server support for PHP, Ruby, .NET, and JDBC

IBM Data Server Client

IBM Data Server Client includes all the functionality of IBM Data Server Runtime Client, plus functionality for database administration, application development, and client/server configuration.

Capabilities include the following:

• A larger deployment footprint compared to that of IBM Data Server Runtime Client in terms of installation image size and disk space required. However, on Windows operating systems, you can prune the IBM Data Server Client image to reduce the installation image size.
• The configuration Assistant to assist with cataloging databases and configuring the database server.
• Control Center and other graphical tools for database implementation and for database administration. These tools are available for versions of Windows on x86 (32-bit only), Windows on x64 (AMD64/EM64T), Linux® on x86, and Linux on AMD64/EM64T (x64).
• First Steps documentation for new users.
• Visual Studio tools
• IBM Data Studio
• Application header files
• Precompilers for various programming languages
• Bind support
• Samples and tutorials
• IBM Informix Dynamic Server support for PHP, Ruby, .NET, JCC, and JDBC