I know this is probably an arcate question, but how does DB2 Express 10 know which directory to look for the data files in (Windows)?

I searched through this Registry key but could find nothing obvious:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IBM\DB2

Many thanks.

If by data files you mean db2 tables / tablespaces, then it doesn't look at the registry to get this info. There is db directory, system catalog and other control files that db2 uses to get this info.

Thanks - is that information documented anywhere?

Check this link:
IBM DB2 9.7 Information Center for Linux, UNIX, and Windows

Thanks for the link. It starts out with this:

The directory structure appears as follows: your_database_path⁄your_instance⁄NODE0000⁄SQL00001 ⁄

How are these determined?

• your_database_path
• your_instance

For example, I installed DB2 Express, created the Sample database and it created this directory structure, which doesn't seem to include the Sample Database name:

C:\DB2\NODE0000\SQL00001

Does DB2 always install in that directory on Windows?

Ultimately I am looking for the files where the actual data is stored (*.CAT and *.LRG I believe?) and the "master" database file that contains the information about databases, permissions, logins, etc.

Thanks again.

sql00001 is the name given to the first created db
db2 list db directory will indicate where the db was generated
c:\db2 is the instance name NODE0000 first node
master db is for MS SQL server : the info about grants.. is in the catalog tables owned by sysadm
all details in info center
files and location : http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infoce.../c0005420.html