In the world of computers, Servers play a crucial role. The term server means to give/provide services. A server can be part of the hardware, or software doesn’t matter, but its main work is to provide the functionality to other programs present in the computer, known as clients.
Key Takeaways
- DB2 is a relational database management system developed by IBM, while SQL Server is a relational database management system developed by Microsoft.
- DB2 is used in large enterprise environments, while SQL Server is often used in smaller businesses and organizations.
- DB2 has a reputation for being highly secure and reliable, while SQL Server is known for its ease of use and flexibility.
Db2 vs. SQL Server
IBM is developing db2, and Microsoft Corporation is setting up SQL Server. While Db2 is a family of data management, which includes database servers. SQL is a Relational Database Management. There is also a difference in the operating system. While SQL uses Linux and Windows, Db2 uses AIX, HP-UX, Linux, Solaris, Windows, and z/OS.

Db2 is a group of database management systems, including database servers as well developed by IBM Company in 1989. Earlier, it supported the relational database management system, but now it has been changed to support an object-related database management system.
SQL is a relational database system by Microsoft Corporation in the year 1993. It is a software product that has a database server as well. Its primary function is to store and retrieve the data from the servers.
Comparison Table
Parameters of Comparison | Db2 Server | SQL Server |
---|---|---|
Developer | IBM develops db2. | Microsoft Corporation develops SQL. |
Released | Db2 is released in the year 1989. | SQL is released in the year 1993. |
Operating Systems | It has an operating system that works on Linux and Windows. | It has an operating system that works on AIX, HP-UX, Linux, Solaris, Windows, and z/OS. |
Programming Languages | It is written in many languages C, C++, Assembly, and Java. | It is written in two languages: C & C++. |
Used By | Companies like Wells Fargo, Citi, and JPMorgan Chase use the Db2 server. | Companies like Bank of America and UPS use the SQL server. |
What is Db2 Server?
Db2 Server is a system that uses hybrid data to simplify and unify the entire core or system of database management. Apart from these, Db2 also allows different functions such as accessing, sharing, and analyzing data of any type, whether structured, semi-structured or unstructured.
Db2 was launched in the year 1993. It comes in the size of 1.6 GB. It is written in C, C++, Assembly, and Java. Db2 has APIs and other methods to access that, including JDBC, JSON, ODBC, ADO.NET, style queries, and XQuery.
Db2 supports the Sharding Partitioning method. It also supports the coalescence of the Eclipse and Visual Studio integrated development environments. One of the features of Db2 is to handle errors in computer programs.

What is SQL Server?
SQL Server, released by Microsoft almost 32 years ago, is a relational database management system. It is software that does the function of storing and retrieving information for other applications.
Microsoft has launched different editions for different users. For 2-5 or individual users, it has launched mainstream editions such as Enterprise, Standard, and Web. For businesses, it has launched Workgroup and Express.
All the things SQL does or communicates with its clients are recorded or sent to Microsoft through Tabular Data Stream(TDS).
TDS is an application that transfers data between a database server and a client. SQL is available in Russian, Spanish, English, Chinese, Japanese, etc. Formally it was written in C & C++ languages.

Main Differences Between Db2 and SQL Server
- DB2 is written in many languages C, C++, Assembly, and Java. Initially, SQL was written in only two languages: C & C++.
- Companies like Wells Fargo, Citi, JPMorgan Chase, etc., use the Db2 server. Companies like Wells Fargo, Citi, and JPMorgan Chase use the SQL server Bank of America, UPS, etc. Bank of America uses both servers.

- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=u5jwS8cDapAC&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=Db2+and+SQL+Server&ots=C_xP5PdUUK&sig=hHSkqPrVFW8rTDGAe8ZI1hewzrw
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=2Xf4hQKEG3gC&oi=fnd&pg=PP10&dq=Db2+and+SQL+Server&ots=XFrgKE6qqv&sig=1bTW-o1r65M0KP3Z59iemws38Mk
Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.