DB2 Developers Guide 6th Edition

Are you new to DB2 for z/OS and looking for that ONE document that holds all the information you'd ever need to know about DB2 for z/OS? Are you an experienced DB2 for z/OS professional who wants to take advantage of new DB2 10 features? Well, there's one book for both of you: "DB2 Developers Guide: A Solutions-Oriented Approach to Learning the Foundation and Capabilities of DB2 for z/OS," by Craig Mullins. The sixth edition was recently released and published by IBM Press.

I reviewed this book prior to publication, and you'll find my recommendation in the front pages: "Once you’ve picked up and read DB2 Developers Guide, you will know why people on the DB2 List Serve forum refer to this book as the BIBLE. You will find that the DB2 Developer’s Guide is a comprehensive guide for both the beginner and experienced in DB2 and relational database technology…I cannot say enough about the DB2 Developer’s Guide."

I'll briefly expound on my accolades. What makes this book unique is the case studies illustrating various DB2 10 features and capabilities. A good example is the chapter on Temporal Data in DB2. There's 20 pages that go through in-depth examples of how to use temporal data.

This example shows how temporal extensions to SQL are used to simplify the SQL. The code is written to display the price of the ethics course as of 2011-12-25.

SELECT PRICE

FROM COURSE

FOR BUSINESS_TIME AS OF '2011-12-25'

WHERE TITLE = 'ETHICS';

Now here's how to code this without the temporal functions:

SELECT PRICE

FROM COURSE

WHERE BUS_START < '2011-12-25'

  AND BUS_END > '2011-12-25'

  AND TITLE = 'ETHICS';

 

If you don’t understand this SQL, don’t worry. Craig will walk you through the process of creating the DB2 table and indexes, providing numerous sample SQL code snippets that utilize temporal data.

Another nice thing is that the latest DB2 features are highlighted with an icon (V9 or V10). See the Amazon page for the table of contents and other information.

Have you already purchased this book? Let me know what you think.

A Closer Look at the IDAA

IBM has come out with a draft Redbook on the DB2 Analytics Accelerator (IDAA). Having written about the IDAA last year, I'm really looking forward to reading this new IBM publication.

"Optimizing DB2 Queries with IBM DB2 Analytics Accelerator for z/OS" examines the IDAA and details how to manage data warehousing queries on z/OS with Netezza. The publication features a high-level overview of the technology; then the process of installing and integrating the IDAA with your current DB2 10 for z/OS environment is explained in depth.

Here's the table of contents:

Part 1. Business analytics with DB2 for z/OS
Chapter 1. Data warehousing on System z
Chapter 2. The DB2 for z/OS integrated solution

Part 2. Sample DB2 Analytics Accelerator implementation
Chapter 3. The business scenario
Chapter 4. Feasibility study
Chapter 5. Configuration and installation
Chapter 6. WLM settings for DB2 Analytics Accelerator
Chapter 7. Monitoring DB2 Analytics Accelerator environments
Chapter 8. Operational considerations
Chapter 9. Using Studio client to define and load data
Chapter 10. Query acceleration management
Chapter 11. Latency management
Chapter 12. Performance considerations
Chapter 13. Security considerations

Part 3. Additional topics
Chapter 14. Analytics and reporting on System z
Chapter 15. Data sharing and disaster recovery
Appendix A. Recommended maintenance
Appendix B. Additional material

I’ll soon have a chance to work with this technology and plan to write about some of my findings. What do you think? What does it take to manage this environment on a daily basis? If you have experience with the IDAA, please register your thoughts in Comments.

May Mainframe Madness

For all the posts I've had of late about free educational and technical materials, I've been remiss to mention what my own company has been up to.

This month CA is running an event it describes as the world's largest virtual mainframe trade show: CA May Mainframe Madness 2012. By registering here, you can access webcasts, live chats and "on demand" presentations hosted by technical experts from across the mainframe world.

Here are some upcoming webcasts:

• Thursday, May 17, 10 a.m. EDT: Sheryl Larsen
        - DB2 9 and 10 SQL: Index and Optimization Enhancements
• Wednesday, May 23, 10 a.m. EDT: Craig Mullins and Steve Crocker
         - Getting to DB2 10 for z/OS

Here are some presentations:

• On Demand – Craig Mullins
         - DB2 Top 10 Lists Part 1
         - DB2 Top 10 Lists Part 2
• On Demand – Steen Rasmussen
       - Tips for Better DB2 for z/OS Performance
       - Do You Really Want NOT to LOG?
       - The DB2 10 catalog – A Revolution

And on Tuesday, May 29 at 1 p.m. EDT, there's a live chat roundtable with Sheryl Larsen, Steen Rasmussen, Scott Jessee and Dave Schipper. The moderator is none other than yours truly.

Once you've registered, you'll get a better idea of the virtual trade show format (you can also view these photos: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4, Image 5). Stop by the "Database Management booth" in the "exhibit hall" to ask questions, or check out the "House Of Mainframe lounge" to network with peers, check for messages, join a group or sign up for a chat.

An Online Roadmap for New DB2 Users

I've found some recent updates on IBM DB2 for z/OS websites. Using the DB2 for z/OS Information Roadmap as a starting point, you'll find a lot of good technical material -- particularly if you're new to DB2 for z/OS.

Notice that the tabs in the middle of the page divide the site into sections on DB2 10, DB2 9 and DB2 8. There's also a section called "new-user."

Beneath the tabs, under the Product Overview>General Information heading, you'll find four links. The first is the IBM Information Management Software for z/OS Solutions Information Center. This is where you can learn about all the solutions that manage information on z/OS, including DB2, IMS and much more.

The second link is called "DB2 for z/OS Technical Resources." I often go here to research technical questions that are related to a specific DB2 release. Again, there's information pertaining to the most recent releases, from DB2 10 back to DB2 8.

The third link is to IBM Learning Services DB2 for z/OS classroom training. Scroll down a bit further, and under the "Version 10 information" subheading you'll find this comprehensive introduction to DB2 for z/OS.

Becoming a DBA

Over the years I've often been asked how one gets a job as a DBA. In my years of consulting I have, of course, talked to many DBAs who've taken all kinds of routes to where they are now. For instance, a former coworker started as a computer operator. He advanced into systems programming, and then moved into the database group. Another former coworker was a clerk doing paperwork, but she switched into IT and progressed into database administration.

Me, I was hired as a developer for a company that just got DB2. I was assigned to test a new DB2 application, a project that took about four months. When it was over, I was asked if I'd like stay on the database side. In each of these case, it was a matter of someone starting in one area of a company, building relationships and taking the opportunity when it was presented.

If you really want to be a DBA, you should naturally learn as much as you can about DB2. If possible, take a data modeling class and DBA class. But beyond technical knowledge, take the small steps to put yourself in position for the opportunity. Build a good relationship with your friends in the DBA group. If you can, learn the tools they use to monitor your applications. Have them show you when they make SQL coding changes to improve a given transaction or batch job. Doing these kinds of things will make you shine.

I'd really like to hear from the DBAs out there. How did you get your break? Please take a moment and share your story in Comments.