Understanding DB2(R) : Learning Visually with Examples

DB2 UDB v8 Handbook for Windows and UNIX/Linux

Advanced DBA Certification Guide and Reference for DB2 UDB v8 for Linux, Unix and Windows

DB2 Developer's Guide (5th Edition)

High Availability Guide for DB2(R)

Programming

DB2(R) SQL PL : Essential Guide for DB2(R) UDB on Linux(TM), UNIX(R), Windows(TM), i5/OS(TM), and z/OS(R) (2nd Edition)

Format: Hardcover
Author: Zamil Janmohamed
ReleaseDate: 15 November, 2004
Publisher: IBM Press
Rating:

A very good book on DB2 SQL PL
After reading it I have written several procedures to aid in data migration. I didn't know anything about writing DB2 stored procedures until I bought this book. It is well laid out and has all the necessary information. The best part is that you don't feel like you are reading a technical book.

embed yourself in db2
It is not a general purpose language, like C or Java. The book describes IBM's Procedural Language, which runs on their db2 servers. Rather, it is tied directly to db2 and IBM's implementation of SQL. But within this context, the book explains the expressive power of PL. It shows at length how you can write stored procedures, triggers and functions in PL. The level of detail and the cited examples should reassure you of PL's capability.

But why even write business logic code at the database layer? There have been other books on n-tier application design, which call for the locating of business logic in a middle tier and not at the database. The authors' rejoinder is that while that makes for an elegant design, practical experience shows that often, crucial logic needs to be at the database. This reduces networks traffic and can heavily improve perforance. Hence the need for PL, or something like it.

Be wary of the book's claim that PL lets you write "portable application logic". It is portable only between instances of db2 running under linux, unix, Microsoft Windows or IBM's operating systems. When you write embedded logic in PL, you are also embedding yourself or your company into db2. Which may indeed be fine by you. But just so you know.

Excellent book for developers/DBAs new to DB2
Both administration and development topics are covered, helpful best practices and tips are included, and illustrative examples are used. If you are a developer or DBA who is new to DB2, I would highly recommend this book to you.

The fundamental DB2 concepts and the different DB2 tools such as the Control Center are introduced in a very straightforward and easy-to-understand manner. This allows DB2-newbies to get fully up to speed on DB2 terminology and functionality, while serving as a gentle refresher for those who might have prior DB2 experience. The book achieves a good balance of topic selection and level of detail. More advance topics that are covered are explained in a manner that most novices would comprehend and in enough detail to be useful.

The prime focus of the book is on leveraging the ease-of-use and autonomic capabilities of DB2. If you are a developer not wanting to memorize database and/or SQL command syntax, you will particularly appreciate this book. The book shows how most common administrative tasks can be very easily performed using the GUI tools and Wizards provided with DB2. Ease of application development is demonstrated in both Java and Microsoft . net environments. An easy and intuitive introduction to DB2 SQLPL is also provided.

Overall, I think that if you are new to DB2, or need to learn the essential concepts/features needed to develop and/or administer DB2 quickly, you will be very pleased with this book. It is a perfect starting point for introducing the most important concepts, features, and tools. As you gain more experience and familiarity with the product, a more advanced book can be obtained.