Greater speed and better performance are just two key benefits of moving to SQL. You will also prepare your applications to evolve in a wider variety of ways, increase data security and data integrity, reduce future development time and open your database to greater interoperability with other applications as well as reporting, design and management tools
Achieving better application architecture via Database Modernization, is recommended by IBM’s System i Developer Roadmap.
In a modern database data centric approach, business rules are moved out of the application and into the database. This leads to:
Lighter programs, easier to understand and maintainBetter performance as rules are faster handled by the DBMSBetter portabilityMore security
SQL optimizer and database engine produce on average 20% faster response times than native I/O methodData verification happens when data is written, not when it is read which happens 20 times less frequentlyIdentity based relationships provide faster relational accessIBM stated that improvement of database access will only continue through SQL
Auto-incrementing of keys (Identities and sequence objects)Column-level triggersSQL Views (much more powerful than Logical Files)Encryption and decryption functionsEncoded Vector IndicesNew Data Types
Openness to SOA: SQL is the most widely used standard, likely be the primary method for accessing data when considering moving towards Service Oriented Architecture (SOA)Greater choice of tools speeding up the development processMost advanced third-party development tools, reporting utilities and database design/modelling solutions support SQLMost web-based application development tools offer built-in support for data access through SQLEasier re-usability of existing applications. Building up an additional SQL functionality into your programs, they are more re-usable with new development plansNo need to recompile existing programs, no code modification neededExisting applications continue to function using native I/O techniquesQuick and secured process: no disruption to your businessMain business applications and database can remain on the secure and reliable IBM i, even if your modernization plans call for accessing data through applications running on other platformsWhen finished, you’re fully prepared to leverage new SQL functions within your applicationsWe thrive in the midst of tough, high-stakes challenges.
