TeraData EXPLAIN Command

The EXPLAIN command is a powerful tool provided with the Teradata database. It is designed to provide an English explanation of what steps the AMP must complete to satisfy the SQL request. The EXPLAIN is based on the PE's execution plan.

The Parsing Engine (PE) does the optimization of the submitted SQL, the creation of the AMP steps and the dispatch to any AMP involved in accessing the data. The EXPLAIN is an SQL modifier; it modifies the way the SQL operates. 

When an SQL statement is submitted using the EXPLAIN, the PE still does the same optimization step as normal. However, instead of building the AMP steps, it builds the English explanation and sends it back to the client software, not to the AMP.

This gives users the ability to see resource utilization, use of indices, and row and time estimates.

TeraData SHOW command

The Teradata Database offers several types of help using an interactive client.

There are times when you need to recreate a table, view, or macro that you already have, or you need to create another object of the same type that is either identical or very similar to an object that is already created. When this is the case, the SHOW command is a way to accomplish what you need. The intent of the SHOW command is to output the CREATE statement that could be used to recreate the object of the type specified.

SHOW TABLE <table-name>; 
Displays the CREATE TABLE statement needed to create this table.

TeraData HELP Command

HELP Command in Teradata plays a important role, This is something like “DESCRIBE” command in Oracle and DB2. This will display the object details.

The HELP Command is used to display information about database objects such as
●     Databases and Users
●     Tables
●     Views
●     Macros

List the tables in TeraData

For listing all the tables, views and macro , execute any sql from below as per need

a) select * from dbc.tables;

Getting Started with TeraData Vmware

The first task is to make sure you have a system capable of handling VMware and VM’s. There are plenty of details on the VMware site but here are some basic requirements that you should be aware of before getting started:

1. Since the SLES10 VM’s are 64-bit, your CPU must support 64-bit operation.
2. Your CPU must also support Virtualization. Generally there is a BIOS setting which enables this. Google the topic for your particular CPU for more information but most recent PC’s support both 64-bit and Virtualization.

Basics of Teradata Database

What exactly is a Teradata Database?

• Teradata Database is a RDMS (Relational Database Management System) which helps in driving the company’s Data warehouse.
• It provides foundation for the company to grow, compete, evolve business by getting answers to a new generation of questions (typically “what if” queries)
• It supports business growth from gigabytes to whooping hundreds of Terabytes
• Teradata Database is an Open system and compliant with major support from ANSI standards
• It works on UNIX MP-RAS, WINDOWS and LINUX operating systems, connects with other client through Network Attached channel (TCP/IP) and Channel connection for Mainframe.

Download Freely licensed Teradata Express 14.0 VMware Image

For starting the learning of Teradata db, we need db. As we all know, Teradata db is proprietary of Teradata Corporation and we need paid license for using it commercially.

Now here is the good news, Teradata Corporation is pleased to announce the availability of new Teradata Express versions based on our recently released version 14.0 of the Teradata database   The Teradata Express program is a freely licensed virtual instance of the Teradata database. It is fully functional for evaluation, test and development purposes.

What does Teradata Express 14.0 for VMware include?

Teradata Express14.0 for VMware includes the following:

• Teradata Database 14.00.00.01
• Teradata Tools and Utilities 14.0
• Teradata Viewpoint 14.0 (installed, but inactive by default)
• Teradata Studio Express

A SQL Client Tool - TeraData Studio Express

Teradata Studio Express is a graphical Java program, developed on the Eclipse Rich Client Platform (RCP),  that will allow you to view the structure of a JDBC compliant database, browse the data in tables, issue SQL commands etc.
This is a nice tool which can connect many DBs like Aster database, DB2 for LUW, DB2 for i5/OS, DB2 for z/OS, Oracle, SQL Server, Generic JDBC connection and of course TeraData DB.


You can download Teradata Studio from HERE.  For more information about Teradata Studio visit HERE.  You also need the DB Drivers ( JDBC drivers/jar files  ) for connecting DBs from HERE