Db2 Truncate Table Vs Delete

August 12, 2018

Truncate Table Vs. Delete in Db2: A Comprehensive Guide
When it comes to managing a database, it’s essential to understand the fundamental differences between truncate table and delete statements in Db2. Both commands are used to remove data from a database, but they do so in different ways with varying implications for data integrity, performance, and security. In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into the differences between truncate table and delete, as well as the scenarios in which each command should be used.

Truncate Table and Delete: An Overview
Truncate table and delete are two distinct commands used to remove data from a database. Truncate table is used to permanently delete all rows from a table, while delete is used to remove one or more rows from a table. The main difference between the two commands is that truncate table is much faster than delete, but the deleted data cannot be recovered once it has been removed. On the other hand, delete is slower than truncate table, but it allows for the data to be recovered if necessary.

When it comes to data integrity, truncate table is the preferred command. This is because it removes all rows from a table in a single transaction, ensuring that the data is completely removed and can’t be recovered. In contrast, delete is less reliable because it requires multiple transactions to delete multiple rows, making it prone to errors.

Security is another area where truncate table is more reliable than delete. This is because it doesn’t log the deleted rows, making it difficult to track who deleted what data. In contrast, delete logs every row that is deleted, allowing administrators to track who deleted specific data.

Performance-wise, truncate table is much faster than delete. This is because delete requires multiple transactions to delete multiple rows, while truncate table removes all rows in a single transaction. This makes truncate table the preferred command for removing large amounts of data quickly.

When to Use Truncate Table vs. Delete
So now that we’ve discussed the differences between truncate table and delete, let’s look at when each command should be used. As a general rule, truncate table should be used when you need to quickly and permanently remove a large amount of data from a table. This is because it removes all rows from a table in a single transaction, making it much faster than delete.

On the other hand, delete should be used when you need to selectively remove one or more rows from a table. This is because delete allows you to specify which rows should be removed, while truncate table removes all rows from a table regardless of criteria.

Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s important to understand the differences between truncate table and delete in order to manage your database effectively. Truncate table should be used to quickly and permanently remove large amounts of data from a table, while delete should be used to selectively remove one or more rows from a table. Keep these guidelines in mind when working with Db2 databases and you’ll be sure to make the most of these powerful commands.