| Welcome to the fifth edition of DB2 Developer's Guide . I have been overwhelmed by the success of the first four editions of this book. The information technology community obviously needs a practitioner's view of DB2 development issues and concerns. The second edition covered DB2 through V3; the third edition expanded that coverage to include DB2 V4 and V5; the fourth edition updated the text to cover DB2 V6; and this fifth edition brings the book up-to-date with the information about DB2 Versions 7 and 8. For an overview of the changes made to DB2 for V7 please refer to Appendix F, while Appendix G provides an introduction to DB2 V8. Other books about DB2 are available, but most of them discuss the same tired subjects: SQL syntax, basic relational database design, normalization and embedded SQL programming with COBOL. DB2 Developer's Guide , 5E unlocks the secrets of DB2, picking up where the DB2 tutorial books leave off. It delves into subjects not covered adequately elsewhere ”sometimes not even in IBM's DB2 manuals. This book clarifies complex DB2 topics, provides performance and procedural advice for implementing well-designed DB2 applications, and describes what DB2 does behind the scenes. Using DB2 Developer's Guide , 5E as a blueprint, your administration and development staff can implement optimized DB2 application systems. This is not an introductory text on DB2 and SQL, but much of the advice contained herein is useful to the beginner as well as to the advanced user . It does not teach SQL syntax, relational theory, normalization, or logical database design, but it does provide suggestions on how and when to use these and other techniques. If you are interested in the intricacies of complex SQL instead of syntax diagrams, this book is for you. Other areas covered include -
Comprehensive coverage of DB2 V8 ”the latest and greatest version of DB2. Some of the many V8 features explained herein include online schema evolution, data partitioned secondary indexes (DPSIs), sequences, recursive SQL, the latest SQL enhancements, long names , partitioning enhancements, dynamic scrollable cursors , multilevel security, new XML and MQSeries functions, new utilities ( BACKUP SYSTEM and RESTORE SYSTEM ), and much more. -
Extensive coverage of DB2 V7 features including Real Time Statistics (RTS), new utilities ( UNLOAD ), utility wildcarding and templates, utility packaging, identity columns , the XML extender, Stored Procedure Builder, scrollable cursors, external SAVEPOINT s, row expressions, declared temporary tables, and deferred data set creation. -
Tips, tricks, and guidelines for coding efficient SQL. -
Guidelines for building performance-oriented DB2 databases. -
Environmental options for developing DB2 applications using TSO, CICS, IMS/TM, CAF, and RRSAF. -
Description of what goes on in DB2 behind the scenes, including logging, locking, and a roadmap for using the System Catalog and Directory. -
Comprehensive techniques for achieving and maintaining optimal DB2 performance. -
In-depth performance monitoring and tuning guidelines from both an application and a system perspective. -
Using EXPLAIN and interpreting its output, including how to use optimizer hints and the V6 estimation and function resolution tables. -
Procedures for using the DB2 Catalog and RTS to monitor DB2. -
DB2 application development guidelines. -
In-depth advice on using the DB2 utilities. -
Guidelines for assigning buffer pool sizes and strategies for implementing multiple buffer pools. -
DB2 disaster recovery scenarios and recommendations. -
How and when to use DB2 views. -
How to use DB2 in a client/server environment including discussion of stored procedures, access to DB2 over the Internet, ODBC, and DB2 Connect. -
How to combine DBA skills and development skills to effectively manage logic stored in DB2 databases in the form of triggers, user-defined functions, and stored procedures. -
Coverage of DB2's support for distributed databases including a discussion of DRDA and distributed two-phase commit. -
In-depth coverage of how to deploy DB2-based data warehouses. -
Coverage of add-on tools for DB2, including a description of the types of tools and a listing of vendors and their offerings (useful if you must evaluate DB2 tools). -
Discussion of DB2 organizational issues including roles and responsibilities, design review guidelines, and political issues. |
