DB2 Magazine E-Newsletter

December 13, 2006

DB2 Magazine Email Newsletter
Volume 7, Issue 12
http://www.db2mag.com/

IN THIS ISSUE:

1. From the Editor
   * The Year (and the decade) in review
2. Asked and Answered
   * The answer everyone wants
3. At the Bookstore
   * The top book of 2006
4. Poll Positions
   * Looking forward to 2007
5. New Downloadable E-Book
   *Java for XML Developers
6. Skills Set
   * News and information about IBM certification
7. In the Zone
   * The latest articles on DB2, Informix, U2, and more.

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1. FROM THE EDITOR

* The Year (and the Decade) in Review
Last week was the 10th anniversary of IBM's announcement of DB2
Universal Database (V 5.0) at the DB/EXPO show in New York City. It's no coincidence that DB2 Magazine's premiere issue landed at the same time. In fact, one of the magazine's earliest goals was to educate readers about DB2's expansion--the undisputed king of the mainframe, DB2 was just taking its first steps into the brave new world of distributed platforms. Ten years on, the magazine reflects IBM's ongoing growth; today, the magazine isn't just for DB2 anymore. The Informix and U2 communities have provided a lively addition to the readership. And, as IBM continues to grow its information management vision and portfolio, the magazine has stepped up its coverage of these related technologies. In fact, the story that grabbed the most DB2mag.com page views in 2006 was an article on master data management article by IBM's Dan Druker and Robert Rich (originally published in 2005). But no recap of the last year--or even last 10 years--would be complete without mention of DB2 9. Introduced in 2006, the first hybrid XML-relational DBMS is already blazing trails with IBM partners and customers. Interest in the new XML technology drove thousands of e-book downloads and article page views this year. You'll find the most popular listed below. I hope you enjoy this recap of the year's best and brightest. Happy holidays from the DB2 Magazine team!
--Kim Moutsos, Editor
--Read "Master Data Management."
http://www.db2mag.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=167100925
--Download the e-book Spotlight on XML.
http://cmp.ebookhost.net/db2/quest/1
--Read Ken North's overview of DB2's new XML technology.
http://www.db2mag.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=191502768
--Browse the DB2 Magazine archives.
http://www.db2mag.com/db_area/archives

2. ASKED AND ANSWERED

* What was on everyone's mind in 2006? Row-level and table-level locks, apparently. Here's columnist Roger E. Sanders' popular explanation of how (and when) DB2 changes from row-level to table-level locking. As an extra treat, Sanders also explains how to avoid deadlocks without increasing application run time.
--Read the locking explanation.
http://www.db2mag.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=162100158

3. AT THE BOOKSTORE

* The Number One Book of 2006
Despite all the new technologies talked about in 2006, an old standard topped the book list. The third edition of SQL for Smarties: Advanced SQL Programming, by Joe Celko, captured the minds (and clicks) of more of this newsletter's readers than any other featured book this year. New examples, updates to SQL-99, expanded coverage of query techniques, and a new section on schema design were part of the allure. If you missed it the first time around, here's how to find out more.
--Read about SQL for Smarties.
http://www.db2mag.com/bookstore/feature200604.shtml

4. POLL POSITIONS

* Enough with the look back at 2006. Tell us what's on your plate for the year ahead. What will occupy most of your working time next year? SOA-related projects? Master data management efforts? Database design? Or something else?
--Sound off in the DB2 Magazine poll.
http://www.db2magazine.com/
--Browse the year's polls and results.
http://db2mag.com/poll_results

5. NEW DB2 MAGAZINE E-BOOK

* XML for Java Developers
Download this new e-book from DB2 Magazine to find out how techniques you use every day can help you put the power of DB2's XML technology to work. You'll learn XML programming tips for Java developers, see detailed Java application examples, and get a recap of all the new features and functions that ease Java development.
--Download the e-book today.
http://cmp.ebookhost.net/db2/quest/3/

6. SKILLS SET

* Get the latest updates and offers on DB2, Informix, and other information management training and certification programs.
--Browse the skills page.
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/data/education/
--Read Howard Fosdick's certification advice.
http://db2mag.com/education/certification.shtml

7. IN THE ZONE

* Compare DB2 9 pureXML, CLOB, and shredded XML storage
http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/db2/library/techarticle/dm-0612nicola/

* Create and consume Web services
http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/edu/dm-dw-dm-0612xia-i.html?S_ TACT=105AGX11 &S_CMP=HP

* Improve performance of federated queries with new WebSphere
Federation
Server capabilities
http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/db2/library/techarticle/dm-0612englert/

* Write a PHP Data Objects driver for U2
http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/db2/library/techarticle/dm-0612xia/

* Build an Ajax application using Google Web Toolkit, Apache Derby,
and Eclipse, Part 1
http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/library/os-ad-gwt1/

* A Hitchhiker's Guide to the UniVerse, Part 4: File and performance
implications
http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/edu/dm-dw-dm- 0611baldridge-i.html?S_TACT= 105AGX11&S_CMP=HP

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