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A distinct type is a user-defined data type that is based on existing built-in DB2® data types. A distinct type is internally the same as a built-in data type, but DB2 treats them as a separate and incompatible type for semantic purposes. Defining your own distinct type ensures that only functions that are explicitly defined on a distinct type can be applied to its instances.

New Distinct Types are created within Create Distinct Type Wizard. In order to run the wizard you should either

•	select the Object \| Create Database Object... main menu item;

•	select the Distinct Type icon in the Create Database Object dialog

•	select the Distinct Types list or any object from that list in the explorer tree;

•	select the Create New Distinct Type... item from the popup menu

•	open and the Distinct Types tab there;

•	press the Insert key or select the Create New Distinct Type item from the popup menu (alternatively, you may use the corresponding link of the Navigation Bar).

To create a new Distinct Type with the same properties as one of the existing Distinct Types has:

•	select the Object \| Duplicate Database Object... main menu item;

•	follow the instructions of Duplicate Object Wizard.

Distinct Types can be edited within Distinct Type Editor. In order to run the editor you should either

•	select the Distinct Type for editing in the explorer tree (type the first letters of the Distinct Type name for quick search);

•	select the Edit Distinct Type... item from the popup menu

•	open and the Distinct Types tab there;

•	select the Distinct Type to edit;

•	press the Enter key or select the Edit Distinct Type item from the popup menu (alternatively, you may use the corresponding link of the Navigation Bar).

You can change the name of the Distinct Type using the Rename Distinct Type dialog. To open the dialog you should either

•	select the Distinct Type to rename in the explorer tree;

•	select the Rename Distinct Type item from the popup menu

•	open Schema Editor and the Distinct Types tab there;

•	select the Distinct Type to rename;

•	select the Rename Distinct Type item from the popup menu (alternatively, you may use the corresponding link of the Navigation Bar).

To drop a Distinct Type:

•	select the Distinct Type to drop in the explorer tree;

•	select the Drop Distinct Type item from the popup menu

•	open Schema Editor and the Distinct Types tab there;

•	select the Distinct Type to drop;

•	press the Delete key or select the Drop Distinct Type item from the popup menu (alternatively, you may use the corresponding link of the Navigation Bar)

and confirm dropping in the dialog window.