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

~ Raul F. Chong (Author), Xiaomei Wang (Author), Michael Dang (Author), Dwaine R. Snow (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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

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 alternate Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1056 pages
• Publisher: IBM Press; 2 edition (January 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131580183
• ISBN-13: 978-0131580183
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.1 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #58,699 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #3 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Databases > Specific Databases > IBM DB2
  #5 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Microsoft > Databases
  #63 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Software > Databases

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 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 - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Understanding DB2(R): Learning Visually with Examples (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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A concise, visual exploration of DB2, July 6, 2005

By	mairhtin Ofeannag "DB2 is my life" (San Francisco, Ca. USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Understanding DB2(R): Learning Visually with Examples (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!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Every thing you need to know about DB2, October 4, 2005

By	David Stout "Newbe" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Understanding DB2(R): Learning Visually with Examples (Hardcover)

This book has everything you need to get you started using DB2 however I felt it lacked some understanding of the SQL language.
The book comes with a trial version of the DB2 database. This is handy for precious.