In IBM DB2, which of the following extenders is specifically designed to allow spatial and geographic data to be stored and presented, including support for two dimensional and three dimensional formats?

Introduction / Context:
IBM DB2 supports a modular architecture where optional extenders add specialized capabilities for handling non traditional data types. For applications dealing with geographic, mapping, or location based data, DB2 offers a spatial extender. This question asks you to identify which extender supports storing and presenting spatial data, including the possibility of three dimensional formats.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The database is IBM DB2 with optional extenders available.
• Different extenders support different data domains such as video, text, XML, or spatial information.
• The requirement is to present data in three dimensional (3D) or geographic formats, such as points, lines, and polygons on a map.
• The candidate extenders include DB2 AVI, XML, Text, and Spatial extenders.

Concept / Approach:
DB2 Spatial Extender provides spatial data types, functions, and indexes that allow the database to store and query geographic objects such as locations, shapes, and routes. It supports operations like distance calculations, containment tests, and spatial joins. These capabilities make it suitable for applications that need to visualize data in 2D or 3D geographic formats. In contrast, AVI, XML, and Text extenders are aimed at video, structured XML document, and unstructured text processing respectively, not at spatial geometry.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recall that DB2 AVI Extender is associated with handling audio and video content rather than spatial geometry. 2. Remember that DB2 XML Extender adds support for XML documents, queries, and storage, focusing on hierarchical data structures. 3. Note that DB2 Text Extender is used to index and search unstructured text fields, enabling full text search capabilities. 4. Understand that DB2 Spatial Extender is specifically designed for geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial data, supporting 2D and 3D coordinates. 5. Conclude that DB2 Spatial Extender is the correct choice for presenting data in three dimensional spatial formats.

Verification / Alternative check:
IBM documentation on the Spatial Extender describes data types such as ST_Point, ST_LineString, and ST_Polygon, as well as functions for spatial analysis. Examples often include mapping applications, tracking moving objects, and managing location aware services. These examples confirm that the Spatial Extender is the tool intended for geographic and three dimensional data, not the other extenders mentioned in the options.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a: DB2 AVI Extender focuses on storing and managing audiovisual content, not on spatial coordinates or maps. Option b: DB2 XML Extender addresses XML document storage and querying, which is not inherently spatial. Option c: DB2 Text Extender is for full text search and indexing, not for geographic data representation. Option e: DB2 Audio Extender (if present) would relate to sound files, not spatial information.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse Text Extender and Spatial Extender because both deal with more advanced data than standard numeric or character types. Another pitfall is assuming that XML Extender can handle any complex structure, including spatial, when in reality spatial data benefits from specialized types and indexes. Recognizing that spatial workloads have unique requirements helps in remembering that a dedicated Spatial Extender exists for DB2.

Final Answer:
The DB2 extender that allows data to be presented in a three dimensional spatial format is DB2 Spatial Extender.