5 comments about DB2(R) for z/OS(R) Version 8 DBA Certification Guide (IBM Press Series--Information Management).

1. This is an excellent book that gives an overall picture of what to expect for the z/OS 702 Examination. The certification portions have all been covered well. Except for a few typos in a few places, this book is an excellent material and is a handy book for a DBA. I certainly recommend it to anyone wishing to pursue DB2 702 certification.



2. Besides getting you ready for the certification examination this book is an excellent reference source and covers some material far better than other similar books on the market. If you only want to buy a few books on this subject, start with this one. You may find you don't need any others.



3. This book is great for DB2 beginners. It has right structure, covers material in sequential order and does not talk much about insignificant matters just to increase the volume, like many other books do. In my view, only one but significant flaw doesn't allow me to call this book exellent - lots of errors and typos in the examples. They are mostly insignificant but very confusing for a novice. I hope the author sorts them out in the second edition which this book definitely deserves.



4. It doesnt give you the indepth details for the 702 certification... All topics are covered as an overview



5. This book is quite possibly the worst written technical book I have read in my 18 year career. It seems as if the driest and dullest portions of the DB2 manuals have been extracted and collected together and called a book; without any regard to editing or amending with graphics.
   
   The material in the book may well cover the necessary topics for the certification test, but the stamina necessary to read it makes this choice clearly a poor one. You would be much better off reading Craig Mullins' latest DB2 Developer's Guide and portions of the DB2 Administration Guide to in preparation for the exams.
   
   I give this book 2 stars only because the material covered seems to closely match what is on the test. Extracting the information from this book, however, is another matter.

No comments about DB2 for Z/OS and Os/390: Ready for Java (IBM Redbooks).

2 comments about DB2: Concepts, Programming and Design (IBM McGraw-Hill Series).

1. I feel that Mr. Ranade has done a great job by writing such a reader friendly book but i feel that a topic that needs a little bit more evaluation is the Field proc and the edit proc and how they can be applied on a table so that it facilitates the sorting of data according tothe user needs.



2. I read this book in the bus in my way to work and just this reading gave me every thing I need to know as a developer. Topics covered are programming, interface with CICS, create db2 objects, understanding Explain.
   Thanks to the authers

5 comments about DB2(R) Universal Database V8.1 Certification Exam 700 Study Guide.

1. Even for people that thinks that knows everything about DB2, this book is important because it delves into the main subjects that will appear in the exam, but also is useful to give you an overview about what you know, and what you have the opportunity to enhance your skills using other sources.



2. This is the only reference I used for the DB2 700 Exam and I passed the exam with 94%, you probably won't need anything else. However if you wish to score really high I would recommend some Internet Searches for the first chapter - Planning. The exam is all too simple and some questions were directly taken from this book.



3. The books if very helpful and insightful. I'd recommend it to intermediate and advanced users.



4. I found this book very helpful in preparing for certification. After reading this book and doing the review questions at the end of each chapter, I was able to pass the review with a score of 92%.



5. I prepared for exam 700 using only this guide and I was able to pass it with a score of 92%.. I love this book and looking forward for a similar book for DB2 v9 exam from Roger Sanders.

2 comments about The Developer's Handbook to DB2 for Common Servers (Mcgraw-Hill Series on Database Warehousing and Data Management).

1. This book is well written and heavy on examples. The DB2 Developers Handbook was written by Roger becuase he was unhappy working with the documentation supplied by IBM. All his experiences are in this book. Excellent author - Excellent book.



2. This is an excellent reference book with plenty of samples in both C and C++ languages. However, the URL in the back cover of the book for electronic copy of all the samples is no longer active. According to the author, the web site is deactivated due to IBM no longer supports the Common Servers product, it would be better for the user to buy his new book(s).

1 comments about Aston Martin DB2, DB2/4 & DB3 In Detail: 1950-59 (In Detail).

1. Very rare DB2's photo, it is a beautiful.
   Vintage Aston's super book.
   Very nice !

5 comments about DB2 for Windows for Dummies.

1. This book is pretty good and has helped me learn the basics of DB2. I wish the book covered Version 7 though since it just came out. Perhaps one is being written. While I am not up to the point where I can go out and get a job as a DB2 DBA, I do have the skills and knowledge to add the words DB2 to my resume. If you are looking for introductory material to DB2 on Windows, I strongly suggest starting here. I have ventured into other books that were just too technical off that bat. Enjoy.



2. This is a great entry-level book on DB2! It also provides a very useful introduction to general relational database concepts. There is installation and connectivity information that I found to be particularly useful, and best of all ---- accurate!!! The CD contains a "try-and-buy" copy of DB2 Universal Database (Version 6.1). Although Version 7 is already available, this book was probably finished too early to include Version 7 information. I hope an updated edition is in the works!



3. I admit it, I am biased. I know Lily so take my review with a grain of salt ;-). However, I am a DB2 for UDB application developer/tester , and I love this small light weight book . It is a good summary and lets you know where to go for more info.



4. The book itself might be fine. I don't really know yet as I've been waiting for TWO WEEKS to get a replacement CD for the defective one that came with the book. The problem with the CD is that once you uploaded DB2 from it, you couldn't actually USE DB2 because you get a 'license has expired' message whenever you try to create or DO anything with the software. An error that could have been caught if ANY Quality Assurance had been performed. I called the 800 number they give you in the back of the book (800-762-2974) and got the 'Wiley Customer Care Center'. Red flag goes up. The guy on the phone was responsive, no problem, they'll send out another CD. But "Oh yeah, I think they fixed that problem"? One would HOPE so you know? 8 days later I get an invoice in the mail confirming that I've ordered the CD. They say to allow 7 business days for it to arrive. On the 8th business day, I phone back. "It was sent on the 7th (the day after my initial phone call), give it another couple of days." I gave it another couple of days. No CD. I phone back. My third call. "We don't have that CD in stock." They couldn't tell me this TWO WEEKS before? The lesson here? DON'T BUY THIS BOOK NEW. Buy it with a CD that has already been used. Or, if you buy ANY 'for Dummies' book new (that comes with a CD), phone 800-762-2974 to find out if there are any 'problems' with the CD FIRST. They found a CD lying around for my copy of 'DB2 for Windows for Dummies' but they "couldn't" overnite out to me. I have to wait another 7 business days for them to send it out by hitchhiker.



5. If you aren't a database expert and you want to learn DB2, this book will do it. After using this book, you will be able to use DB2 very effectively. The authors did a great job.
   The CD contains an older version of DB2, but it is sufficient to learn DB2. You can quickly learn the later versions, which can usually be downloaded from IBM as evaluation copies.

5 comments about DB2 Administration All-in-One Exam Guide.

1. The author is excellent in explaining technical information concerning the DB2 product. However, as with all good reviews, the printed material did have some noticeable defects concerning the examples:
   P. 187 EMP_ID name not in separate columns.
   P. 198 Columns misalign question 8, review
   P. 200 Columns misalign question 15, review
   P. 219 'veiw' misspelled
   P. 248 Select example using E.DEPTNO did not exist in the example, also the select statement should be a left instead of right outer join to bring back the result set in the example.
   More to follow....
   If you need a proof reader for DB2 material, check with me.



2. I realize no book can be perfect but this one is a gem. I use it daily for DB2 UDB DBA work and its quite detailed and covers lots on DB2 UDB DBA tasks. Few decent books have been written on DB2 UDB so this one is quite useful. I hope he writes a good one for v8.1.



3. Read this about 3 times and realized that some critical information were missing out. I passed my 512 without any sweat and struggling on 513 with the help of this book. Thus, i gave it 4 stars. The information and questions in this book are way too easy for 513, so don't count on those questions. Consider them as warm up and getting your engine to run.

   My other help:
   DB2 Unversal Database V6.1 rating [*****]
   DB2 Fundamental Certification rating [*****]

   EQ




4. The book is quite detailed and is best for beginners or for professionals working in some other RDBMS and wanting to swith to DB2. It should also serve as a good reference book.
   
   But it is not sufficient for test 513. The sample questions at the end of each chapter and on the CD-ROM are too easy as compared to the actual questions on test 513. I would recommend extra reading resources besides this book (like the DB2 UDB Fastpath CBT) for test 513.
   
   Thanks,
   Manas



5. Almost new. Perfect Guide to clear DB2 UDB Fundementals Certification

5 comments about DB2: The Complete Reference (Complete Reference Series).

1. Although this book covers allot of areas within UDB(DB2) "It is not a Complete Reference". Some areas missing include Bind, CLP, and other utility parameters. It also lacks information on writing scripts for the Script Center and using the Control Center. Also it does not contain all references to SQL statements, some key statements are missing. Other books will be needed for a database administrator or programmer to use UDB. If I would have had a chance to review this book before paying for, I would have saved myself some money.



2. You know, you can't have it all in one book, but this one certainly brings you to the edge. Great read



3. Great Book. So much information in it that they couldn't fit it all in the paper book. Chapter 30 - DB2 Command Line Processor Commands must be downloaded from the Osborne web site. I always go to this book before I going to the manuals. Seldom do I have to look further.



4. This is not complete by any means. There are many times I have had to go to the internet to find information that is not in this book, including basic features such as functions that are missing and details regarding data types. I could understand if it was missing advanced concepts, but it is missing introductory information.



5. I'm looking for a desk reference this is it. However, no V8 -- wonder why?

3 comments about DB2 Universal Database SQL Developer's Guide.

1. This book makes a great reference guide for anyone needing to create or sort SQL queries and reports in the DB2 environment. It goes through everything, from the initial setup to the basic queries to how to really get the most from your database.

   To be honest, it's a little narrow in focus in that it concentrates so exclusively on one application of SQL, but it's pretty up front about it's target audience so you can't really fault it there.

   Not a book for SQL beginners then, or even for anyone looking for a general SQL guide, but a must-have for anyone serious about using it with DB2 every day, or looking for an addition to their office library. In fact, the book is pricey enough to imply that it's intended as a resource for the whole office to use - though the inclusion of a full copy of IBM DB2 more than makes up for the cost.




2. We have an environment from junior programmers to system analysts. We bought this book about six months ago so a number of people have had an opportunity to look at it. This book has been 'worth its weight in gold'. All levels of people that have used it, commented on the very user friendly manner the book is written in as well as the clear and to the point descriptions. Whether you are just starting out with SQL or are an experienced programmer, all have found this book helpful. My compliments to Mr. Sanders.



3. I work in an environment where we have a mix of 'heritage' as well as new systems. We do all our development in-house. A number of years ago, we changed over to DB2 as a database. We then had to adapt the older Cobol systems to make use of embedded SQL. All new systems are developed using Centura SQL Team Developer. We found there was a lack in bringing new employees up to speed and I then went out to hunt for some assistant manual. Thank the good Lord I discovered this book. It has quite honestly been of inestimable value. It explains far more clearly and succinctly all relevant areas than the accompying manufacturer's manuals could do. This book certainly puts the lie to the old tongue-in-cheek adage used by 'older' programmers (like myself) that, when all else fails, read the manual. We have learned through experience that when in the slightest doubt, go for this book.

   I am really very sorry to see this book out of print and only limited quantities are available. I can only hope that Mr. Sanders is in the process of writing a new edition.

   Well done, Mr. Sanders. Keep it up!