DB2 Universal Database v8 builds on the world's #1 enterprise database to simplify anytime/anywhere information integration, streamline management, automate resource tuning,enhance business intelligence, and maximize performance, scalability, and reliability.

Now, IBM offers complete, start-to-finish coverage of DB2 Universal Database v8 administration and development for UNIX, Linux, and Windows platforms and authoritative preparation for IBM's newest DB2 certification exam.

This definitive reference and self-study guide covers every aspect of deploying and managing DB2 Universal Database v8, including best practices for DB2 database design and development; day-to-day administration and backup; expert techniques for deploying networked, Internet-centered, and XML-based database applications; migrating to DB2 UDB v8; and much more.You'll also find an unparalleled collection of IBM tips and tricks for maximizing the performance, availability, and value of any database system. Coverage includes:

• Manageability and serviceability enhancements, including new tools for storagemanagement and monitoring database health
• Performance improvement withmultidimensional clustering, enhanced prefetching, threading of Java UDFs and storedprocedures, and materialized query tables
• New Setup wizards, configuration assistants, GUItools, and DB2 Administration Server (DAS) improvements
• Availability andscalability enhancements
• New DB2 v8 Replication and Data Warehouse Centers
• Major improvements for developers, including SQL, XML, JDBC, and CLIenhancements

Whether you're a DBA, a developer, a DB2 certification candidate, or all three, DB2Universal Database v8 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows Database AdministrationCertification Guide is the one book you can't afford to be without.

• Straight from IBM, the ultimate guide to running DB2 v8 and preparing for IBM's latest DB2certification exam!
• In-depth coverage of DB2 v8 database administration and development
• Covers new DB2 v8 enhancements in manageability, serviceability, reliability, availability, and performance
• Contains in-depth coverage of new DB2 v8 tools, including the Replication, Data Warehouse, and Development Centers
• Presents expert tips and best practices from IBM's own DB2 customer support organization

The CD-ROM included with this book contains a complete trial version of DB2 UDB V8Personal Edition, plus the DB2DEMO program to help explore the many features of DB2.

Customer Reviews & Comments
I have been involved with DB2 for a number of years and this book definitely introduced a few new tricks to me. This is especially good reading for those migrating to v8 or thinking of migrating as it covers many of the new and changed features between v7 and v8. Despite being a good source of information, this is by far the most contradictory book I have read to date (and I have read many technical books). The most annoying contradictions are when a paragraph will state that something is IMPOSSIBLE or there is ONLY ONE WAY to do it, and then the next paragraph will list a way (or many ways) to perform that exact something. One example: p.298 "Note: The ORDER BY clause, if used, must be the last clause in your SQL statement." p.299 "TO limit the number of rows sorted in a SELECT, the FETCH FIRST ... ROWS [clause] must be added to the end of the ORDER BY [clause]." This doesn't really bother me because I know why FETCH would go after ORDER BY, but why state ORDER BY must be the last clause, then go on to show that ORDER BY is in fact NOT the last clause on the next page? How about not say it at all! These types of contradictions are scattered throughout the book, but I am too irritated to list them here. Another good example of frustrating trends in this book is also on pg.298: "You can also rename a column using an alias." Well, what is an alias, and how do you create one? Again, this time I knew what an alias was and how to create one from prior experience, but why Baklarz and Wong do not include an explaination here (or at least a reference) is beyond me. They do not even mention that the concept of an "alias" will used for the first time in an example on pg.315, not to mention that it also won't be clearly explained. Much of the key material in this book is bludgeoned by contradictions, typos, and lack of information/clarity where you expect it most. If you can wade through it (if you can afford the time to figure out that a parameter in an example was indeed a misprint) then definitely get this book for the reasons listed above. If not, look elsewhere.