FIX: The OLE DB Provider for DB2 in Host Integration Server 2004 truncates string (CHAR) data that includes NULL characters when you insert or retrieve data from an IBM DB2 database

The OLE DB Provider for DB2 that is included in Microsoft Host Integration Server 2004 truncates string (CHAR) data that includes NULL (0x00) characters. This problem occurs when you insert or retrieve data from an IBM DB2 database.

For example, consider the following scenario. You have an IBM DB2 database table that is named TEST_TABLE. The TEST_TABLE table contains the following data.Note The data that is shown in this table is Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code (EBCDIC) data. For example, the EBCDIC value X�E9� equals the letter 'Z' in ASCII, and the EBCDIC value X�C1� equals the letter 'A' in ASCII.

You run the following SQL query against the TEST_TABLE table by using the OLE DB provider for DB2: The following data is returned to the calling application after the data is converted from EBCDIC to ASCII.In this scenario, the OLE DB Provider for DB2 returns no data for the first value in COLUMN_2. Additionally, the OLE DB Provider for DB2 truncates the trailing NULL characters for the second value in COLUMN_2.

This problem occurs because the OLE DB Provider for DB2 was not designed to allow NULL characters to be inserted or retrieved from IBM DB2 database character (CHAR) data types.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.Note Because of file dependencies, the most recent hotfix that contains these files may also contain additional files.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.