This IBM® RedpaperTM publication provides key information about continuous delivery in IBM Db2® 12 for z/OS®. It discusses how continuous delivery works and the changes that have been made in Db2 12 to support continuous delivery, such as adding a new catalog table and changing existing catalog tables. Also the paper covers the effects on applications and how to take advantage of new function provided using the continuous delivery model.

The goal of this IBM® Redbooks® publication is to demonstrate the ability to perform single click automated deployments of multi-platform applications that include IBM Db2 for z/OS database schema changes by using the capabilities of IBM Db2 DevOps Experience for z/OS. Pushing the application and database code changes to a source control management system (SCM) triggers a single CI/CD pipeline execution for application and database changes. Therefore, it mitigates the dependency on the DBA to deploy those database changes in a separate process. At the same time, DBAs can safeguard the integrity of their organization's data by implementing site rules in Db2 DevOps Experience. DBAs define whether a schema change can be approved automatically after all site rules are satisfied or whether it must be approved manually. In this publication, we provide an overview of the CI/CD pipeline architecture in the context of a sample application. We also describe the steps that are relevant to the roles of the DevOps engineer who implements the enterprise CI/CD pipeline, the DBA who is responsible for database code changes in Db2 for z/OS and for defining site rules that ensure quality in production, and the application developer who changes the application code and communicates requirements for changes in the database schema.

IBM Db2® for z/OS® is well known as the gold-standard information steward. Deep synergy with the z/OS operating system and System Z platform provides support for the highest transaction volumes with the ultimate levels of availability. Just like any high-performance engine, occasional maintenance or upgrades are needed to maintain peak performance and to incorporate new features. Those that demand the highest standards and protection of their production environments know that you want to test changes outside of production first. It is common to have development or test environments for application development and verification. What about applying Db2 maintenance or performing migrations to new version or release levels? Sure, you probably perform these activities outside of production first, but are these environments similar enough to production to surface the same results as those you might encounter in production? Your production Db2 Catalog & Directory often has a different mix and complexity of objects, which were created at different levels of Db2, that can span decades of time. The best test of these activities is against your production system, but this is the system that we want to protect. How can we accomplish this? Clone it! Skeleton cloning produces a specific kind of clone, which provides a replica of the portions of your Db2 production environment that are needed to complete your testing. You can use the skeleton clone to find issues before they occur in production. This process allows you to refine maintenance steps in a safe environment and to minimize potential downtime when performing the same steps in a production system. This IBM® RedpaperTM publication gives a high-level overview of the IBM Db2 Cloning Tool and includes specific use cases for the tool. It also details the skeleton cloning process, which you can use to test migration, function levels, and maintenance, and includes demo examples that show a Db2 11 to 12 migration test using skeleton cloning.

Write and run Swift language programs in the Cloud Written by the team of developers that has helped bring the Swift language to Cloud computing, this is the definitive guide to writing and running Swift language programs for cloud environment. In Swift in the Cloud, you'll find full coverage of all aspects of creating and running Swift language applications in Cloud computing environments, complete with examples of real code that you can start running and experimenting with today. Since Apple introduced the Swift language in 2014, it has become one of the most rapidly adopted computer programming languages in history—and now you too can start benefitting from using the same programming language for all components of a scalable, robust business software solution. Create server applications using Swift and run them on pay-as-you-go cloud infrastructure Quickly write and test Swift code snippets in your own cloud sandbox Use Docker containers to deploy Swift applications into multiple cloud environments without having to change code Grasp the elements and structure of the Swift.org open technology project Find out how to avoid the complexities of runtime configuration by using Cloud Foundry buildpacks for Swift Build high performing web applications and REST APIs with an open source Swift based web server framework Scale up your cloud services by running Swift modules in an asynchronous, open source, 'serverless' cloud environment Whether you are already using Swift to build mobile applications or a seasoned web developer, Swift in the Cloud will help you leverage server-side Swift to power your next generation of applications.

IBM® DB2® 12 for z/OS® delivers key innovations that increase availability, reliability, scalability, and security for your business-critical information. In addition, DB2 12 for z/OS offers performance and functional improvements for both transactional and analytical workloads and makes installation and migration simpler and faster. DB2 12 for z/OS also allows you to develop applications for the cloud and mobile devices by providing self-provisioning, multitenancy, and self-managing capabilities in an agile development environment. DB2 12 for z/OS is also the first version of DB2 built for continuous delivery. This IBM Redbooks® publication introduces the enhancements made available with DB2 12 for z/OS. The contents help database administrators to understand the new functions and performance enhancements, to plan for ways to use the key new capabilities, and to justify the investment in installing or migrating to DB2 12.

As IBM® continues to enhance the functionality, performance, and availability of IBM Db2®, the utilities have made significant strides towards self-management. IBM Db2 for z/OS utilities is leading the trend towards autonomics. During the last couple of versions of Db2 for z/OS, and through the maintenance stream, new features and enhancements have been delivered to further improve the performance and functionality of the Db2 utilities. The intent of this IBM RedpaperTM publication is to help Db2 Database Administrators, Db2 System Programmers, and anyone who runs Db2 for z/OS utilities implement best practices. The intent of this paper is not to replicate the Db2 for z/OS Utilities Reference Guide or the Db2 for z/OS Installation Guide. This paper describes and informs you how to apply real-life practical preferred practices for the IBM Db2 for z/OS Utilities Suite. The paper concentrates on the enhancements provided by Db2 utilities, regardless of the version, albeit some functions and features are available only in Db2 12 for IBM z/OS®.