DB2 Developer's Guide

This is the first time I have used any of Craig S. Mullins's books. I found it to be indispensible for those who wish to have a clear and readable companion to help them with their understanding of DB2 UDB for OS/390. Although IBM's manuals online are essential for the minute details, this book helps simplify matters so that you can apply the required jobs, utilities, names and so on in a coherent and safe way. It probably means thatyou have the equivalent of 2 years or more DBA experience just by keeping it on your desk. As a mainframe programmer, I have found that it has enabled me to support DB2 Databases with an expertise which would have taken me a number of years to acquire without Mr Mullins's help. I must thank him for giving me a big boost to my career.

Craig Mullin's FOURTH EDITION is impeccably organized and precisely written for the DB2 practitioner. The text covers DB2 for OS/390 (Version 6), including the functions and features attributed to IBM's UDB family of Relational Database Systems. Craig provides introductory treatment of the DB2 Subsystem Structures; Flows; and Interfaces; Predictive Analysis characteristics of the DB2 Optimizer; and extensive focus on DB2 EXPLAIN for maximizing application and Subsystem Performance. The FOURTH EDITION is laden with Best Practices for the DB2 Developer; Administrator; and Technical Support communities. The book provides a comprehensive overview of all facets of of Version 6 DB2, and as such, can direct you to the appropriate System Reference Library manual in the fewest number of hops. If you are a DB2 / UDB practitioner, Craig's FOURTH EDITION should become your Companion Guide.

This is an excellent resource for DB2 whether you are a programmer or a DBA. This book was recommended to me by a co-worker. It is definitely a worthwhile investment!

I don't even reach for the IBM manuals right away any more, - I always check Mullins first. His style is so much more readable and succinct than IBM's than it's easy to get caught up just reading it instead of looking up a single item. Very much worth the money - I'm buying my own copy.

With over 25 years experience as an application developer on IBM mainframes, including 15 years with DB2, I thought that there was little that I didn't know until reading Craig S. Mullins book. It goes into the depth required (and beyond) for professional developers and even deeper into the domain of the DBA's territory. An excellent source of reference with a good index, but a novice might require a lot of determination to filter out the parts that meet their requirements.