Customer Reviews

DB2 for Windows for Dummies

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If you aren't a database expert and you want to learn DB2, this book will do it. After using this book, you will be able to use DB2 very effectively. The authors did a great job.
The CD contains an older version of DB2, but it is sufficient to learn DB2. You can quickly learn the later versions, which can usually be downloaded from IBM as evaluation copies.

This is a great entry-level book on DB2! It also provides a very useful introduction to general relational database concepts. There is installation and connectivity information that I found to be particularly useful, and best of all ---- accurate!!! The CD contains a "try-and-buy" copy of DB2 Universal Database (Version 6.1). Although Version 7 is already available, this book was probably finished too early to include Version 7 information. I hope an updated edition is in the works!

This book has been very helpful in introducing me to IBM's RDBMS software. In recent years, it seems DB2 on Windows is making noise, and not the goto DB2/390 version.

This book is pretty good and has helped me learn the basics of DB2. I wish the book covered Version 7 though since it just came out. Perhaps one is being written. While I am not up to the point where I can go out and get a job as a DB2 DBA, I do have the skills and knowledge to add the words DB2 to my resume. If you are looking for introductory material to DB2 on Windows, I strongly suggest starting here. I have ventured into other books that were just too technical off that bat. Enjoy.

I have not had a chance to fully evaluate the text, but I would like to inform others about the CD that contains a version of DB2. This version according to the book is for PC's which have either Windows NT or Windows 2000.

I bought this book online mainly because I am new to DB2 UDB. I want to learn some database administration for DB2. However, there is virtually very little information in this book on the subject of database administration. It's a terriblely written book and the information in this book are totally out dated. As previous reviewer pointed out, the most current version of DB2 is version 7, but the software on the CD that comes with the book is version 6. Also, you do not need to buy this book to get a copy of DB2. I found out that IBM offers a free trial copy of version 7 for download on its web site. Furthermore, after I installed DB2 on the computer, I noticed most of the information stated in this book are also available in DB2's online documentation.

I have since purchased a book called "DB2 Developer's Guide, Fourth Edition" by Craig S. Mullins. It's a much better written book with lots of insightful information on DB2.

All in all, this book, DB2 for Windows for Dummies, is a waste of money.

This book is already obsolete. It is for Version 6 and Version 7 is already available. They do not discuss the functions/features that are important to real DBAs.

I admit it, I am biased. I know Lily so take my review with a grain of salt ;-). However, I am a DB2 for UDB application developer/tester , and I love this small light weight book . It is a good summary and lets you know where to go for more info.

The book itself might be fine. I don't really know yet as I've been waiting for TWO WEEKS to get a replacement CD for the defective one that came with the book. The problem with the CD is that once you uploaded DB2 from it, you couldn't actually USE DB2 because you get a 'license has expired' message whenever you try to create or DO anything with the software. An error that could have been caught if ANY Quality Assurance had been performed. I called the 800 number they give you in the back of the book (800-762-2974) and got the 'Wiley Customer Care Center'. Red flag goes up. The guy on the phone was responsive, no problem, they'll send out another CD. But "Oh yeah, I think they fixed that problem"? One would HOPE so you know? 8 days later I get an invoice in the mail confirming that I've ordered the CD. They say to allow 7 business days for it to arrive. On the 8th business day, I phone back. "It was sent on the 7th (the day after my initial phone call), give it another couple of days." I gave it another couple of days. No CD. I phone back. My third call. "We don't have that CD in stock." They couldn't tell me this TWO WEEKS before? The lesson here? DON'T BUY THIS BOOK NEW. Buy it with a CD that has already been used. Or, if you buy ANY 'for Dummies' book new (that comes with a CD), phone 800-762-2974 to find out if there are any 'problems' with the CD FIRST. They found a CD lying around for my copy of 'DB2 for Windows for Dummies' but they "couldn't" overnite out to me. I have to wait another 7 business days for them to send it out by hitchhiker.