Understanding DB2: Learning Visually with Examples (2nd Edition) [Hardcover]

Raul Chong (Author), Xiaomei Wang (Author), Michael Dang (Author), Dwaine Snow (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 8, 2008 | ISBN-10: 0131580183 | ISBN-13: 978-0131580183 | Edition: 2

The Easy, Visual Way to Master IBM® DB2 for Linux®, UNIX®, and Windows®—Fully Updated for Version 9.5

IBM DB2 9 and DB2 9.5 provide breakthrough capabilities for providing Information on Demand, implementing Web services and Service Oriented Architecture, and streamlining information management. Understanding DB2: Learning Visually with Examples, Second Edition, is the easiest way to master the latest versions of DB2 and apply their full power to your business challenges.

Written by four IBM DB2 experts, this book introduces key concepts with dozens of examples drawn from the authors' experience working with DB2 in enterprise environments. Thoroughly updated for DB2 9.5, it covers new innovations ranging from manageability to performance and XML support to API integration. Each concept is presented with easy-to-understand screenshots, diagrams, charts, and tables.

This book is for everyone who works with DB2: database administrators, system administrators, developers, and consultants. With hundreds of well-designed review questions and answers, it will also help professionals prepare for the IBM DB2 Certification Exams 730, 731, or 736.

Coverage includes

• Choosing the right version of DB2 for your needs

• Installing and configuring DB2

• Understanding the DB2 environment, instances, and databases

• Establishing client and server connectivity

• Working with database objects

• Utilizing breakthrough pureXML™ technology, which provides for nativeXML support

• Mastering administration, maintenance, performance optimization, troubleshooting, and recovery

• Understanding improvements in the DB2 process, memory, and storage models

• Implementing effective database security

• Leveraging the power of SQL and XQuery

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The Easy, Visual Guide to IBM DB2 V8.2

IBM DB2 Universal Database™ V8.2 for Linux®, UNIX®, and Windows® is a flexible, scalable, cost-effective, and easy-to-use enterprise database. Now, one book makes DB2 even easier. Understanding DB2 teaches DB2 V8.2 visually, step by step, with dozens of examples and case studies drawn from the authors' unsurpassed experience as DB2 consultants at IBM.

Understanding DB2 doesn't just present the big picture. It thoroughly introduces every DB2 concept, procedure, and tool you'll need to get results as an administrator, user, or developer. You'll find authoritative coverage of installation, configuration, objects, database instances, storage, connectivity, security, performance, backup and recovery, SQL fundamentals, and much more. Virtually every new concept is explained with screenshots, diagrams, or tables, all designed to help you learn faster and remember more.

For those preparing for certification, this book also contains over a hundred sample questions crafted by the authors to reflect the content and format of the IBM DB2 UDB Database Administration Certification exams, with answers and detailed explanations.

Coverage includes

• Understanding the DB2 product family, DB2 commands, and the DB2 environment

• Configuring client and server connectivity: walkthroughs of four typical scenarios

• Managing DB2 storage: partitions, tablespaces, buffer pools, and more

• Leveraging the power of SQL: queries, inserts, deletes, and updates

• Implementing security: encryption, authentication, and authorization

• Administering and maintaining data, from LOAD and EXPORT to backup/recovery

• Providing high availability with online split mirroring and suspended I/O

• DB2 architecture: process and memory models

• Managing database performance and troubleshooting

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Raul F. Chong, DB2 on Campus Program Manager at the IBM Toronto Laboratory, is a DB2 Certified Solutions Expert in administration and application development with ten years of experience in DB2. He has helped customers resolve DB2 migration, performance, and design issues; developed new DB2 solutions; taught DB2 workshops; contributed to DB2 exam tutorials; and was the lead author of the first edition of Understanding DB2.

Xiaomei Wang, a technical consultant at the IBM Toronto Laboratory, has nine years of DB2 experience. She has handled critical DB2 customer and business partner situations worldwide.

Michael Dang, DB2 Technical Sales Specialist, specializes in solution design, database sizing, product licensing, and Balanced Warehouse configurations. He formerly served as a DB2 Support Analyst and spent seven years as a DB2 DBA.

Dwaine R. Snow, DB2 Senior Product Manager, has worked with DB2 for seventeen years. He is the coauthor of Advanced DBA Certification Guide and Reference for DB2 Universal Database for Linux, UNIX, and Windows, DB2 UDB for Windows, and the first edition of Understanding DB2.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1056 pages
• Publisher: IBM Press; 2 edition (January 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131580183
• ISBN-13: 978-0131580183
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 2.2 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,095,315 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Case studies, graphics, sample questions, and well-written March 17, 2005

By S. Visser

Format:Hardcover

I find it hard to believe that I am the first person to post a review of this book.

I spent quite a bit of time reviewing this book as I was about to be a guest speaker at a local college. Everything I read I found to be easy to understand and well-laid out. The best part for me is the case studies. Basically the authors go through an easy to understand scenario where they clearly demonstrate the concepts discussed in the chapter. There is a case study for each chapter, and 17 chapters.

I am still loosely involved with DB2 certifications and I was very happy to see that the authors included 20 sample questions for each chapter of the book. Writing good sample questions is difficult to do, but this author team has clearly put a lot of time and effort in to ensure that there are many questions that are useful whether you are just trying to validate your retention of the chapter or if you are trying to pass one of our exams. An appendix in the back of the book explains the answers to each question as well, but don't peek until you've tried to answer the questions on your own!

This book also has a diagram for everything. The cover says you'll be learning visually with examples, and that couldn't be more true. The CD also contains colour versions of the key diagrams so that you can print them and review them.

This book should be mandatory for anyone who is learning DB2 for the first time, but I also think that this book is useful as a reference book and a refresher for anyone who works with DB2.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A concise, visual exploration of DB2 July 5, 2005

By mairhtin Ofeannag

Format:Hardcover

This book is really rather interesting. It appears to take off where the old Don Chamerlain books ended. Don has not given us one of his tomes in quite some time (version 5, I believe) and they have been sorely missed. This book takes up that honorable tradition.

DB2 is a complex and at times complicated set of software services, and needs some sort of gentle entrance guide. By not assuming that the reader is familiar with anything, and by explaining everything is a visual manner, the book assists first-timers and even those of us who are experienced to walk confidently through the excersises and learn the tasks of a DBA or new-found developer.

A must read for those who need to be "up and running" as quickly as possible!!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for experienced DBAs who are new to DB2 UDB June 5, 2005

By Ted J. Wasserman

Format:Hardcover

If you have previous relational database experience, but are new to DB2, this book is for you. This book focuses on the administration tasks and features available in DB2.

The writing style of the book should appeal to those who like to learn using a lot of examples and diagrams (also included on the accompanying CD if you want to print them out in color). These complement the written material very well. All important DB2 administration concepts are explained in a straightforward and easy-to-understand manner. Most topics include at least one example to re-inforce important ideas.

Two other features of this book that I really liked are the short Case Studies and numerous Review Questions at the end of each chapter. The case studies are based on common real life scenarios and are meant to illustrate how the topics covered in the chapter can be applied in a real life setting. This is very helpful for seeing the material "in action". The review questions also help solidify the important concepts covered in the chapter can be used while studying for the DB2 certifications.

I would also recommend this book if you are planning to study for the DB2 Certifications. I would read this one first, to have all the fundamental concepts explained in a clear and illustrative manner. I would then consider obtaining one of the other certification guides to fill in all the nitty gritty details you might expect on a certification test.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book if you have some relational database background and are looking to gain a clear and fundamental understanding of DB2 administration topics.