Can we run a select * query for a production DB2 table?

[Abhishek Mehta]

Hi,

Can we run a select * query for a production DB2 table??

Please let me know.

[Anuj Dhawan]

You "can' use it, however it's not recommend in static SQL. SELECT * is recommended mostly for use with dynamic SQL and view definitions.

You can use SELECT * in static SQL, but doing so is not recommended because of first, possible host variable compatibility and performance implications. Suppose that you add a column to the table to which SELECT * refers. If you have not defined a receiving host variable for that column, an error might occur, or the data from the added column might not be retrieved.

If you list the column names in a static SELECT statement instead of using an asterisk, you can avoid problems that might occur with SELECT *. You can also see the relationship between the receiving host variables and the columns in the result table.

[Abhishek Mehta]

Thanks Anuj.

This make it very clear, thanks for the great explanation.

[Anuj Dhawan]

Glad that I had been helpful.

Good luck,

[Abhishek Mehta]

Thanks Anuj!