IDUG NA 2025

As technology evolves and data volumes surge, the same indexing strategies that worked well 20 years ago are probably no longer optimal. This presentation exposes the critical need for index modernization in Db2 for z/OS applications.
We’ll start by reviewing the critical role of indexes and their history in Db2 for z/OS to set the stage. Then we’ll take a look at the many innovations IBM has applied to indexes in Db2 for z/OS over the past few releases including things like index compression, Fast Traverse Blocks (FTBs), and index features like include columns and indexing on expressions.
With a sound foundation of the recent index capabilities under our belts, we’ll discuss changing data patterns and their impact on indexing. Topics we’ll discuss include big data and analytics, the impact of data growth, and the surge in dynamic SQL.
And we’ll also show how to capture SQL usage (both static and dynamic) to design optimal indexes based on actual usage and access patterns.
By understanding these factors and adopting modern indexing techniques, organizations can significantly enhance the performance, scalability, and overall efficiency of their Db2 for z/OS applications and systems.