Rating: 
Summary: A pleasure to read! Very good editing.
Review: It is clear that Don Chamberlin knows the DB2 product. It is also refreshing to read an up-to-date book that isn't full of spelling and grammer errors. This book will get you up and running on DB2 without being a DBA. (There is plenty of time for that later). DB2 UDB graphic interface is a giant step forward for IBM! There is some reference to using DB2 UDB with Java but not very much.
Rating:
Summary: The best all round book on DB2 UDB!
Review: Just like his first book Don has managed to squeeze a lot of quality information into his new book. Very much new and improved(if that is possible from his first book on DB2), this book gives everyone a helping hand in understanding and working with DB2. No matter who you are, a DBA, a programmer, support ... this book is the best one to have on your desk as a reference guide.It can be read from cover to cover or just those chapters you need. The "tips" are just great and the humour is wonderful. Coupled with the pictures I found this book to be a great read. If you want more information on this book or any other DB2 book(I have most of them) then please feel free to e-mail me. Leslie Pendlebury-Bowe
Rating:
Summary: Per gli utenti italiani
Review: per gli utenti italiani lo consiglio vivamente visto che la ibm italiana non si degna di darci un volume in italiano...
Rating:
Summary: UDB
Review: The idea of a universal database (UDB) was invented as a reaction to object-oriented databases of the early 1990s from Object Store, Gemstone, and Versant. Capabilities were added to the prevailing dominant design of relational database management systems (RDBMs), including user defined functions and data types, enhanced stored procedures and triggers (active database components), and SQL extensions. It is a winning idea and one that has gained "top of mind position" in the market, relating the n-relational competition to niche players. One of the ironies of technology is that you can tell the pioneers by the arrows in their back. In many instances IBM has been first, and has the arrows to prove it. In the instance of UDB this was not the case - the term having been popularized elsewhere - but they have had the opportunity to leap-frog the competition. Don Chamberlin's comprehensive guide to the product - DB2 UDB - is suitable for entry level database developers as well as advanced technicians. It is a pleasure to find such a formidable subject treated in such a readable, professional, and entertaining way without assuming that the audience is in any way intellectually challenged (as, for example, occasionally happens in the dummy series). The opening chapter contains a fascinating brief history of structured query language (SQL) in which the author and his colleague Ray Boyce are deservedly credited with the invention of what has proved to be a powerful and compelling non-procedureal English-like interface to relational databases. Query Power (Chapter Five) starts looking at interesting SQL extensions, include new built in functions of the kind useful in data warehousing (and decision support) applications), rollup, cube and grouping sets. This illustrates a familiar feature of technology innovation and evolution - built in functions that required purchase of separate proprietary products such as Red Brick - are now bundled as part of the UDB product. An especially engaging fact is that the approach to Stored Procedures enabled by IBM makes use of procedural languages - C, C++, a version of Basic, and (note well) Java - as the host code in which the SP's SQL is embedded. This sets a standard for openness, interoperability, and portability, which may make the other database vendors with proprietary scripting languages cringe. A possible outcome: Convergence on Java. It is hard to imagine that in a superbly written book of nearly 800 pages, six useful appendices, an excellent detailed index, supplementary exercises on the Web, anything more could be said. Even the on-going "Webificaiton" of the planet falls within the horizon, since dynamic SQL with Java receives a useful treatment with sample program (pp. 498ff). The nicely edited and prepared text is supplemented with charming illustrations by Duane Bibby of a bird-like creature, which seems to morph between a sea gull and an owl, depending on the context, but actually looks to me like Don Haderle of the IBM Santa Teresa DB2 Lab (who writes a nice forward). For a database professional or a developer accessing DB2 data through UDB, this text is likely to become a well-worn and dog-eared resource, making life in the software trenches a bit less difficult and more like operating within the horizon of an object-relational future towards which so many projects are converging. --excerpt from my review published in Computing Reviews, November 1998
Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive, engaging, essential treatment of DB2 UDB
Review: The idea of a universal database (UDB) was invented as a reaction to object-oriented databases of the early 1990s from Object Store, Gemstone, and Versant. Capabilities were added to the prevailing dominant design of relational database management systems (RDBMs), including user defined functions and data types, enhanced stored procedures and triggers (active database components), and SQL extensions. It is a winning idea and one that has gained "top of mind position" in the market, relating the n-relational competition to niche players. One of the ironies of technology is that you can tell the pioneers by the arrows in their back. In many instances IBM has been first, and has the arrows to prove it. In the instance of UDB this was not the case - the term having been popularized elsewhere - but they have had the opportunity to leap-frog the competition. Don Chamberlin's comprehensive guide to the product - DB2 UDB - is suitable for entry level database developers as well as advanced technicians. It is a pleasure to find such a formidable subject treated in such a readable, professional, and entertaining way without assuming that the audience is in any way intellectually challenged (as, for example, occasionally happens in the dummy series). The opening chapter contains a fascinating brief history of structured query language (SQL) in which the author and his colleague Ray Boyce are deservedly credited with the invention of what has proved to be a powerful and compelling non-procedureal English-like interface to relational databases. Query Power (Chapter Five) starts looking at interesting SQL extensions, include new built in functions of the kind useful in data warehousing (and decision support) applications), rollup, cube and grouping sets. This illustrates a familiar feature of technology innovation and evolution - built in functions that required purchase of separate proprietary products such as Red Brick - are now bundled as part of the UDB product. An especially engaging fact is that the approach to Stored Procedures enabled by IBM makes use of procedural languages - C, C++, a version of Basic, and (note well) Java - as the host code in which the SP's SQL is embedded. This sets a standard for openness, interoperability, and portability, which may make the other database vendors with proprietary scripting languages cringe. A possible outcome: Convergence on Java. It is hard to imagine that in a superbly written book of nearly 800 pages, six useful appendices, an excellent detailed index, supplementary exercises on the Web, anything more could be said. Even the on-going "Webificaiton" of the planet falls within the horizon, since dynamic SQL with Java receives a useful treatment with sample program (pp. 498ff). The nicely edited and prepared text is supplemented with charming illustrations by Duane Bibby of a bird-like creature, which seems to morph between a sea gull and an owl, depending on the context, but actually looks to me like Don Haderle of the IBM Santa Teresa DB2 Lab (who writes a nice forward). For a database professional or a developer accessing DB2 data through UDB, this text is likely to become a well-worn and dog-eared resource, making life in the software trenches a bit less difficult and more like operating within the horizon of an object-relational future towards which so many projects are converging. --excerpt from my review published in Computing Reviews, November 1998
Rating: 
Summary: A disappointment
Review: This book is lacking in critical details. For example, it has very little useful information on user creation and assigment of authorities and privileges - and what there is on the subject must be either ferreted out or inferred. It never comes out and directly tells you how to set up a user correctly, as one would hope from a book of this type. It has virtually no information about datatypes, either. It seems good on the outside, but once you get into and start searching for answers you wind up sorely disappointed. Too bad there aren't better books out there.
Rating: 
Summary: Here's what you need to know about DB2 UDB!
Review: This book supplies detailed information about DB2 Universal Database Version 5 for application developers, database administrators, and end users. It covers basic SQL as well as advanced features such as recursive queries, user-defined functions, and stored procedures. It is organized around a complete set of programming examples which is available on the web page of Morgan Kaufmann Publishers. The author is a co-inventor of SQL, an ACM Fellow, and a member of the DB2 development team.
Rating:
Summary: A must have book for each serious DBMS developer
Review: This is greatest book about DBMS I've ever seen. It's a must have book even for college student.
Rating: 
Summary: Worthless
Review: Very disappointed with the book, returned it within a week. Written in a rambling and scatter-brained manner, gives no clear details of database creation or errors regarding db2X commands. May be useful for advanced users but Oracle DBA's wanting a quick insight into DB2 database creation and administration, stay away. Goes into other aspects of DB2 very well, but pointless if you are not taught how to create/troubleshoot the damned database in the first place.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for anyone using DB2 UDB
Review: Whether you are new to DB2 UDB or an expert, this book is for you. It works as both the perfect learning tool and an excellent reference book that should be on every DB2 UDB user's desk.
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