Transforming DB2 to SQL/DDL

Briteskies Lunch & Learn with Phil Tolbert:
Transforming DB2 to SQL/DDL  

As someone who recently joined the IBM i team at Briteskies from a sales background, I’ve found our internal Lunch & Learn sessions to be an invaluable window into the technical depth of our development team. These informal, educational sessions give team members a chance to share knowledge, learn new tools and techniques, and collaborate across roles. For someone like me, still learning the IBM i space, it’s been an opportunity to soak up real expertise and gain a clearer understanding of the challenges our clients face.  

One recent session was led by Phil Tolbert, who presented on a core modernization topic: transforming DB2 databases into SQL/DDL. I’ll admit that at first glance, this topic seemed highly technical, maybe even out of my league. But Phil has a way of breaking things down that makes even complex subjects approachable.

What I learned is that this transformation process is not only critical for the long-term success of our clients’ IBM i environments, it’s also a showcase of the care and precision our developers bring to every engagement. 

Why Transform DB2 to SQL/DDL? 

The IBM i platform is known for its reliability and longevity, but many systems still rely on DDS (Data Description Specifications) for defining their DB2 databases. While this worked well in the past, DDS-defined files can be limiting, especially as businesses look to integrate with modern technologies and 3rd party applications. 

Transitioning from DDS to SQL/DDL opens the door to a host of benefits. It makes databases easier to maintain and scale, improves performance optimization capabilities, and enables smoother integration with analytics platforms, APIs, and web-based tools. For developers, it also means working with more flexible and robust schema definitions. As Phil put it, this process is about more than just changing syntax—it's about building a solid foundation for modernization. 

How the Process Works 

Phil walked us through how our team approaches these conversions, and while there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes complexity, the overall process is rooted in clarity and structure. 

• It all begins with a thorough assessment of the existing database. Before any data is moved or transformed, our developers catalog everything—from tables and indexes to triggers and stored procedures. Understanding how these pieces relate to one another is essential for a smooth migration.
• Once the full picture is in place, we extract the existing schema using SQL-generation tools native to IBM i. Phil shared how commands like QSYS2.GENERATE_SQL allow us to pull out DDS-defined objects and convert them into SQL scripts. These scripts then serve as the building blocks of the new, modernized database.
• But the transformation doesn’t stop there. The team carefully reviews and modifies each script to ensure it aligns with SQL/DDL best practices. That includes updating data types, reworking constraints, and optimizing indexes. Triggers and procedures often require particular attention, as their logic may not translate directly from DDS to SQL.
• Once the schema is ready, we turn our attention to the data itself. The data export and transformation step ensures that formats—especially for things like dates and numeric fields—are compatible with the new environment. This stage is all about detail and precision, as even minor discrepancies can cause issues down the line.
• After transformation, the cleaned and reformatted data is imported into the new SQL-defined tables.
• Then comes what might be the most crucial step: validation. Every part of the database, from structural integrity to business logic, is tested to ensure that nothing was lost or misinterpreted during the transition.
• Finally, the project wraps up with optimization and documentation. The team fine-tunes performance settings, reindexes tables where needed, and compiles detailed documentation so that everyone—developers, analysts, and even clients—can understand what was done and how to work with the new structure. 

Tools of the Trade 

Throughout the session, Phil highlighted the tools our developers rely on for this work.

• Some are IBM-native: Access Client Solutions (ACS) SQL interface Run SQL Scripts(RSS)
• Others are external utilities such as DB2 for IBM i VS Code Extension

What impressed me most wasn’t just the variety of tools—it was how seamlessly our team uses them together to support complex migrations without sacrificing clarity or control. 

Why This Matters to Clients 

If you're a company still relying on legacy DDS-based databases, this transformation isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a strategic move. Converting to SQL/DDL unlocks better performance, greater transparency, and the ability to integrate with today’s digital ecosystems. More importantly, it ensures that your data infrastructure is built to last, with flexibility for whatever the future brings. 

As someone in sales, this session gave me more than just technical talking points. It deepened my appreciation for the kind of detail-oriented, client-focused work our developers do every day. These Lunch & Learns help bridge the gap between the business side of the house and the technical engine that drives it, and I’m grateful to be part of a team that values both. 

Is your organization ready to modernize its IBM i environment? Whether you’re just beginning to explore the possibilities or need expert guidance on a full database transformation, Briteskies can help. Contact us today to start a conversation with our IBM i specialists, and let’s build the foundation for your next decade of growth. 

About Briteskies

Briteskies, an IBM partner for 25 years, offers comprehensive services for IBM i (AS400) systems, including consulting, development, staffing, security audits, EDI solutions, and integrations. Our team combines over 40 years of IBM i expertise with fresh talent, delivering both legacy knowledge and innovative perspectives. Skilled in every RPG iteration and modern technologies like Node and API solutions, we seamlessly integrate applications to support business goals. Dedicated to modernization, security, and efficiency, we help businesses optimize and upgrade their IBM i environments for long-term success.