About collection IDs

Collection IDs identify a group of static SQL packages or stored procedures that serve a particular purpose or function.

QMF includes a set of embedded SQL statements for working with databases. These statements are installed as queries on the database server during the QMF configuration, through a process commonly referred to as binding.

The database type determines whether the queries are bound as packages of static SQL statements (for Db2® UDB databases) or as a set of stored procedures (for all supported databases, but this option is not recommended for Db2 UDB). This group of installed packages or stored procedures is called a collection.

Each version of QMF has its own collection. When QMF connects to database server, it automatically detects proper installed collection and uses it. However, it is useful practice to incorporate the application version in the collection ID name to help users differentiate collections from one version of QMF to another.

Depending on the database type, the length of the collection ID can have some restrictions.

In the case of stored procedures, the notion of a collection is usually synonymous with owner ID or schema. The maximum length for collection ID field is determined by database restriction on the maximum schema length. For more details on schema length limits see the database documentation.

The collections of packages are supported by Db2 databases only. Db2 databases can function in either short names or long names mode, depending on their configuration. In short names mode the maximum number of characters allowed in collection ID field is 8.

The following Db2 databases can be set up to support long names:

• iSeries V5R1 or later

• DB2 UDB V8 or later

For these Db2 databases the maximum length of the collection ID is 128 characters.