Asking ChatGPT About the Advantages of Db2 for z/OS over Oracle

If you read my blog post from yesterday, you know that I have been playing around with ChatGPT, the latest AI technology that is sweeping the headlines.

Yesterday I was asking it about the mainframe, but today I thought I'd ask ChatGPT about Db2 and Oracle, specifically:

In what ways is IBM Db2 for z/OS better than Oracle?

Yes, I know that is a loaded question and that the results would likely be different if I swapped the order of Db2 for z/OS and Oracle. Nevertheless, I liked the results that ChatGPT generated, so I figured I'd share them with everybody here!

So here is ChatGPT's reply:

"Both IBM Db2 for z/OS and Oracle are mature and widely used relational database management systems, and each has its strengths and weaknesses. However, here are some ways that IBM Db2 for z/OS might be considered better than Oracle:

Transaction Processing: Db2 for z/OS is known for its high performance and ability to handle large transaction processing workloads. It is optimized for OLTP (Online Transaction Processing) applications and can handle high concurrency and high throughput.

Security: IBM has a long-standing reputation for security, and Db2 for z/OS is no exception. It has a robust set of security features, including encryption, role-based access control, and auditing capabilities that help ensure that sensitive data is protected.

Cost: Db2 for z/OS can be less expensive to operate than Oracle for some use cases. It is designed to run on IBM mainframes, which are known for their scalability and efficiency, allowing organizations to reduce hardware and software costs. Additionally, because IBM mainframes are known for their reliability, uptime, and availability, they can help reduce costs associated with system downtime or data loss.

Integration: Db2 for z/OS can integrate with other IBM products and services, such as CICS (Customer Information Control System) and IMS (Information Management System). This can be particularly beneficial for organizations that already have an IBM infrastructure in place.

Built-in Analytics: Db2 for z/OS includes built-in analytics features, such as IBM Db2 Analytics Accelerator, which can help organizations to run complex analytics queries on large datasets. This can be particularly useful for organizations that need to process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently. 

It is worth noting that Oracle also has its own strengths and advantages, such as its support for a wide range of platforms and its focus on database consolidation. Ultimately, the choice between Db2 for z/OS and Oracle will depend on the specific needs and requirements of an organization."

Again, a quite reasonable response! I think the thing that jumped out at me the most here is the "Cost" section. As a grizzeled, old mainframer I am always ready to fight back against unfounded claims that the mainframe option is always the more espensive one. But ChatGPT didn't make that mistake! Maybe because Oracle has a reputation of being expensive, too?

At any rate, I look forward to asking ChatGPT for help in my future endeavors. 

AI and ChatGPT Tell You Why You Should Use a Mainframe

ChatGPT has been getting a lot of attention for its ability to formulate reasonable responses to questions and inquiries. There have even been examples of ChatGPT being able to pass college exams and write up readable articles.

ChatGPT is a chatbot developed by OpenAI. It was launched in November pf 2022. It is built on top of OpenAI's GPT-3 family of large language models and it has been fine-tuned using both supervised and reinforcement learning techniques. 

So it is a somewhat practical example of AI being applied to a common proglem... communication.

Being the mainframe zealot that I am, I decided to ask ChatGPT why I should use a mainframe. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I am delighted with the response that I got. 

Me: Why should I still use a mainframe?

ChatGPT: There are several reasons why you might still want to use a mainframe for certain applications:

1. High Reliability: Mainframes are designed to handle massive workloads and to provide high levels of reliability and availability. They are built with redundant components and features that allow them to recover quickly from failures, making them ideal for mission-critical applications.
2. Security: Mainframes are known for their robust security features. They have been used in industries such as finance, healthcare, and government for decades because they offer features such as hardware encryption, advanced access controls, and secure connectivity options.
3. Scalability: Mainframes can scale vertically to handle large amounts of data and processing power. They can also scale horizontally by adding more processors or servers to a mainframe cluster, making them a good fit for organizations with rapidly growing or fluctuating workloads.
4. Cost-Effective: While mainframes are expensive to purchase, they can provide a cost-effective solution for certain applications. Mainframes are designed to handle large workloads with high efficiency, and they can consolidate multiple applications onto a single platform, reducing the need for additional hardware and software.
5. Legacy Systems: Many organizations have critical legacy applications that were designed to run on mainframes. Replacing these systems can be expensive and time-consuming, and in some cases, it may not be feasible to migrate these applications to modern platforms.
6. Integration with Modern Technologies: Many mainframe systems now offer modern connectivity options, such as APIs and web services, which make it easier to integrate them with newer technologies and applications.

In summary, while mainframes are no longer the primary platform for many organizations, they still offer unique benefits and advantages for certain applications. Mainframes provide high levels of reliability, security, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, making them an attractive option for organizations with specific needs and requirements.

This seems like a  reasonable response to me. What do you think? With technology this good, I can only imagine how much better it will get as the models are honed over time.