Spurred by IBM's success with DB2, thousands of new users are working with DB2 on OS/390 mainframes for the first time. Now, direct from IBM, there's an authoritative introductory guide to running DB2 in OS/390 environments. This book offers a practical, hands-on overview of everything new users need to know, from relational database and SQL fundamentals to basic design, administration, and application development. Now, new DB2 for OS/390 users have a single source for detailed introductions to every aspect of working with IBM's flagship database on mainframe platforms. The book reviews basic relational database concepts, SQL, the fundamentals of database design, the key tasks associated with day-to-day database administration in mainframe environments, application development, and more. Next, it introduces new users to a wide range of DB2's most sophisticated capabilities, including data sharing, distributed data, and Web access. For readers ready to go beyond the fundamentals, it also includes extensive cross-references to other IBM books and information resources. For all developers, administrators, managers, and end users new to DB2 for OS/390 -- including those familiar with DB2 or other databases on other platforms, as well as those new to enterprise databases.
From the Inside Flap
About this book
This book provides a comprehensive introduction to IBM DB2 Universal Database(TM) for OS/390. It explains the basic concepts that are associated with relational database management systems in general, and with DB2 Universal Database for OS/390 in particular.
Part One of the book begins with "Chapter 1. An overview of DB2." This chapter describes how different types of organizations use DB2 Universal Database for OS/390 and the other products in the DB2 Universal Database family. You will also read about the many other products that work with DB2 Universal Database for OS/390 to contribute to the IBM data management strategy.
"Chapter 2. DB2 concepts" provides an overview of relational database concepts. You will read about SQL, the language you use to access data in DB2. You will also learn about databases and tables, which are key structures that store DB2 data.
The next chapter, "Chapter 3. DB2 for OS/390 architecture," explains some of the other products that coexist with DB2 in the OS/390 environment.
Part Two of the book provides introductory information about a variety of tasks that DB2 users perform. You can read some or all of these chapters, depending on your areas of interest and your needs:
"Chapter 4. Designing objects and relationships"
"Chapter 5. SQL: The language of DB2"
"Chapter 6. Writing an application program"
"Chapter 7. Implementing your database design"
"Chapter 8. Managing DB2 performance"
"Chapter 9. Managing DB2 operations"
Part Three of the book provides information about some specialized topics, in particular:
"Chapter 10. DB2 and the Web"
"Chapter 11. Accessing distributed data"
"Chapter 12. Data sharing with your DB2 data"
Most chapters in this book conclude with a list of useful citations to Web information and books that provide the next level of detail. (The only exception is "Chapter 2. DB2 concepts," which doesn't have this section because every topic it introduces is also explained in more detail in subsequent chapters.) For example, "Chapter 4. Designing objects and relationships" gives an overview of the task of designing a database and concludes with a list of references to more advanced database design information. In some cases, these sections also provide references to similar information about DB2 in other operating systems (such as Windows(R), AIX(R), OS/2(R), OS/400(R), VM, and VSE).
"Appendix A. Example tables in this book" shows you the example DB2 tables that this book uses to illustrate different concepts.
After reading this book, you will understand basic concepts about DB2, and you will know where to look for additional details about individual topics that this book describes. Who should read this book
If you are new to DB2 for OS/390, this book is for you. Perhaps you have worked with DB2 on other operating systems (Windows, AIX, OS/2, OS/400, VM, or VSE). Perhaps you have worked on non-IBM database management systems (DBMSs) or on the IBM hierarchic DBMS, which is called Information Management System (IMS). Perhaps you have never worked with DBMSs, but you want to work with this product, which many companies use for mission-critical data and application programs. Regardless of your background, if you want to learn about DB2 for OS/390, this book will help you.
If you will be working with DB2 for OS/390 and already know what specific job you will have, begin by reading Part One (Chapters 1 through 3). Then, you can consider what your role will be when you choose to read all or only a subset of the remaining chapters. For example, assume that you know you will be a database administrator (DBA) for an organization that has some distributed applications and is beginning to plan for e-business. In this case, you would probably want to read at least Chap-ters 4, 7, 10, and 11.
The authors of this book assume that most readers are data processing professionals. How to send your comments
Your feedback helps IBM to provide quality information. If you have any comments about this book:
Send your comments from the Web. Visit the following Web site, which has a feedback page that you can use to send comments: ibm/software/db2os390
Send your comments by e-mail to db2pubs@vnet.ibm. Be sure to include the title of the book, the order number of the book, and the version of DB2 for OS/390. If you are commenting on specific text, please list the location of the text (for example, a page number or table number).
Send a letter with your comments. Be sure to include the title of the book, the order number of the book, and the version of DB2 for OS/390. If you are commenting on specific text, please list the location of the text (for example, a page number or table number). Mail the form to: IBM Corporation
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If you are sending your letter from a country other than the United States, give it to your local IBM branch office or IBM representative for mailing.
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