About the Author

Craig S. Mullins is Director of DB2 Technology Planning for BMC Software, Inc. He has extensive experience in all facets of database systems development, including systems analysis and design, database and system administration, data analysis, and developing and teaching various courses (on DB2, Sybase, and database design). Craig has worked with DB2 since Version 1 and has experience in multiple roles, including programmer, DBA, instructor, and analyst. His experience spans industries, having worked for companies in the following fields: manufacturing (USX Corporation), banking (Mellon Bank), utilities (Duquesne Light Company), commercial software development (BMC Software, PLATINUM technology, inc.), consulting (ASSET, Inc.), and computer industry analysis (Gartner Group ). Additionally, Craig authored many of the popular "Platinum Monthly DB2 Tips" and worked on Platinum's DB2 system catalog and access paths posters .

Craig is a regular lecturer at industry conferences. You may have seen him present at such events as the International DB2 Users Group (IDUG), the IBM DB2 Technical Conference, SHARE, DAMA, or at one of many regional DB2 user groups.

Craig is also a frequent contributor to computer industry publications , having published hundreds of articles during the past few years . His articles have been published in magazines such as Byte , DB2 Update , DB2 Magazine , Database Programming & Design , DBMS , Data Management Review , Relational Database Journal , Enterprise Systems Journal , IDUG Solutions Journal , z/Journal , and others. Craig writes four regular industry columns covering the database industry:

• "The DBA Corner" in Database Trends & Applications

• "The Database Report" in The Data Administration Newsletter

• "z/Data Perspectives" in z/Journal

• "The Buffer Pool" in IDUG Solutions Journal

Additionally, he is a consulting editor and regular contributor to www.dbazine.com. Complete information on Craig's published articles and books can be found on the Web at http://www.craigsmullins.com.

Craig has also written another book titled Database Administration: The Complete Guide to Practices and Procedures (Addison-Wesley, 2002; ISBN: 0201741296) that can be used as a complement to this book. It addresses heterogeneous database administration.

Craig graduated cum laude with a degree in Computer Science and Economics from the University of Pittsburgh.