Working with SQL in a notebook editor

As an alternative to the standard SQL editor interface, Db2 Developer Extension supports the use of a notebook style SQL editor, which provides more flexibility than the standard SQL editor.

For example, with a notebook editor you can:

Create, edit, and run multiple SQL statements either one at a time or collectively from a single window.
View the results of running multiple SQL statements within a single window.
Easily insert markdown comments into your code for easier readability.

To use the notebook editor:

Create a new file that has an extension of .isql. The notebook editor is invoked automatically for .isql files.
Click + Code to open a new cell, and type a SQL statement into that cell, for example:
```
SELECT * FROM SYSIBM.SYSTABLES;
```
Notice that the statement is labeled as Plain Text in the lower right side of the cell.
To get the editor to recognize your input as SQL, connect to Db2 either by clicking the connection mechanism in the bottom-left corner of the window or by clicking Select Kernel in the upper-right corner of the editor and selecting a connection. As soon as you connect to Db2, your statement is recognized as SQL and syntax highlighting is applied.
Run your statement by clicking the Run button at the left side of the cell. The results are displayed directly below the cell.
Now let’s run another SQL statement. You have a couple of options:
- You can type the new SQL statement into the same cell as your first SQL statement and click Run. This approach displays the results in the same cell; however, both statements are run; not just the new statement.
- You can type the new SQL statement into a new cell and work with it independently.
Explore some of the other features of the notebook editor on your own:
- Create a new markdown cell instead of a code cell by clicking + Markdown. Your text will be saved as markdown in the file.
- Rearrange the order of the cells by clicking and dragging them.