DB2 Spatial Extender embeds a GIS into your DB2 database. The DB2 Spatial Extender module implements the Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc. (OGC), Simple Features for SQL with Types and Functions specification, with columns capable of storing spatial data such as the location of a landmark, a street, or a parcel of land.
Geodatabases in DB2 store spatial data in DB2 Spatial Extender data types. Therefore, before a geodatabase can be created in a DB2 database, the Spatial Extender must be present and the database spatially enabled.
How DB2 Spatial Extender works
Once DB2 Spatial Extender is installed, you can create spatially enabled tables that include spatial columns. Geographic features can be inserted into the spatial columns. DB2 Spatial Extender converts spatial data into its storage format from one of the following external formats:
- Well-known text (WKT) representation
- Well-known binary (WKB) representation
- Geography Markup Language (GML) representation
- Esri shape representation
ArcGIS uses the Esri shape representation.
You can access the spatially enabled tables in a DB2 database or a geodatabase in DB2 using ArcGIS clients. An experienced SQL programmer can also make calls to the DB2 Spatial Extender spatial functions.
Where to find IBM documentation
Go to the IBM Knowledge Center for DB2 and DB2 Spatial Extender documentation.