Mainframe, MVS and zOS Discussion

Hi,

I need help for the answer of one of the questions I have been asked: What differences do you know between DB2 and IMS, when you need to choose between these two? There is a task, where you need to design a system which needs a database and you can choose between both of these.

The company has the all the possible data required available in both IMS and DB2. What are the thoughts you bring to the table while choosing the right Database?

What are the thoughts you bring to the table while choosing the right Database?

There is no such thing as the RIGHT database since "right database" is a subjective standard. IMS is a hierarchical database while DB2 is relational. IMS has records while DB2 has rows. To a large degree, which one you use will depend upon company standards, the data architecture, and personal preference. Either one will be usable for every set of data, although there may be difficulties with structuring the data with either -- such difficulties can lead you to use one or the other.