DB2 Universal Database v8 Handbook for Windows and UNIX and Linux

Preface

I wrote this book to provide you with the necessary knowledge with which to accomplish business objectives with DB2 UDB v8.1 for Windows, UNIX, and Linux. After all, as a developer or DBA, your primary mission is to accomplish business objectives by providing a database environment that provides the requisite performance, availability, and scalability required in today's demanding 24 × 7 highly competitive business environment.

To that end, I have focused this book on key areas of DB2 UDB v8.1 that will enable you to meet those objectives. Some of the features covered are: the new Development Center, multidimensional clustering, online reorganization and online load, Type-2 indexes, tablespace enhancements, block-based bufferpools, tuning bufferpools, new commands and utility options, dynamic configuration parameters, autonomic computing features, write-to-table event monitors, SQL snapshot functions, QUIESCE command, and the database partitioning feature with new partitioning terminology updates. And, almost all new DB2 UDB v8.1 features and enhancements are covered in this book. Also, I have included a chapter on logical and physical design to help you in designing top performing databases.

In the following chapters, I will show you how to design, maintain, monitor, and tune high performing DB2 UDB v8.1 databases.

If, after you read this book, I have helped you do that, then I have accomplished my mission.

Acknowledgments

I have had a lot of help in writing this book. I would like to thank the following people from Prentice Hall: Mike Meehan, for helping me get started on this book; Jeff Pepper, for continued supportand patience; Scott Suckling, for producing the final manuscript; and all the people behind the scenes in the marketing and publication of this book.

Without the support of IBM it would have been difficult to write this book. Special thanks to Susan Visser for her patience and positive attitude and for providing access to DB2 Developers and technical writers. I also want to thank Brad Cassells for providing technical assistance and clarification when needed. I also want to thank my reviewers: Bob Harbus, who did a yeoman's job reviewing the book while on the road; Sam Lightstone; and Dwaine Snow, who rearranged his schedule to review Chapter 13.

I also want to thank Scott Hayes for providing some of the material for Chapter 8, and to Martin Hubel, who dropped what he was doing to review Chapter 10, 11, and 12.

Thanks to my mentor, Doug French, who took me under his wing many years ago; and to Polly Mathys, Professor of Information Systems at Alvernia College, for her outstanding teaching ability, and for setting the example for all to emulate.

Of course, although I have tried to be as accurate and complete as possible, any errors are strictly my own.

I also want to thank my fellow IDUG North America Conference Planning Committee members who put up with me over the last year and a half!

To my wife, who's constant support and encouragement were instrumental to the completion of the book. And finally, to my daughters Paula and Katie, who helped a lot with keyboarding and completing my drawings, tables, and examples. They finally have their Dad back!