January 2008
Volume 9, Issue 1

IN THIS ISSUE:

1. From the Blogs
  * Diagnosing lock timeouts and other tips
  * Sorts: the silent (but avoidable) performance killer
  * DB2 9 certification sample questions: DB2 configuration parameters and stored procedures
2. Must Read
  * Understanding DB2: Learning Visually With Examples
3. Poll Positions
  * The all-time best books
  * Your priorities for 2008
4. IBM News
  * IBM to acquire Solid technology
5. Informix Update
  * Informix Tech Fair
6. Skills Set
  * News and information about IBM education
7. In the Zone
  * The latest developerWorks articles on DB2, Informix, and more

****Sponsored by Synaptris*****

Static reports and the "Boomerang effect"
Static reports keep business users coming back for every change or ad-hoc information request.

With IntelliVIEW, you can rapidly create interactive & flexible reports, which business users can customize, extend or analyze on-demand! Reduce reporting effort by over 80%!

4-Minute Preview

Download FREE Trial!

FROM THE BLOGS

* Diagnosing Lock Timeouts and Other Tips

Consultants Martin Hubel and Rob Williams of MHC Inc. share their expertise in the DB2mag.com blogs through a series of posts that aim to help programmers code for better performance. Early entries explain new ways to diagnose lock timeouts in DB2 9 and 9.5 and how to protect data memory structures.

* Sorts: The Silent Performance Killer

In a recent DB2 for Linux, Unix, and Windows performance blog, Scott Hayes reveals why sorts are the second most common database performance killer—and why their impact often goes undetected. He shares his tips for tackling this silent challenge in this post.

--Browse all of Hayes' performance-related blogs here.

* DB2 9 DBA Certification Sample Questions

More sample questions from Roger E. Sanders' DB2 9 for Linux, Unix, and Windows Database Administration Study Guide are posted each week. Review the whole series or check out this week's set on DB2 configuration parameters and granting stored procedure calling privileges. All questions are reprinted with permission from MC Press.


MUST READ

Understanding DB2: Learning Visually with Examples, Second Edition
by Raul F. Chong, Xiaomei Wang, Michael Dang, and Dwaine R. Snow

This new edition of Understanding DB2: Learning Visually with Examples explains how to use the new features in DB2 9 and 9.5. Written by four IBM DB2 experts, the completely revised book introduces key concepts with dozens of examples drawn from the authors' experience working with DB2 in enterprise environments. The authors cover new features including XML support, API integration, manageability, and performance. Each concept is presented with screenshots, diagrams, charts, and tables.


POLL POSITIONS

* Best DBA/Developer Books

Do you have a favorite DBA or developer book? One you turn to again and again or one that brought clarity to a difficult topic? Share your thoughts in this month's poll.

* Find out what others in the industry list as priorities for 2008.


IBM NEWS

* IBM to Acquire Solid

In December, IBM announced it would acquire Solid Information Technology, a privately-held company based in Cupertino, Calif., that provides in-memory database software. Solid's technology helps companies meet the challenge of providing real-time information with very low latency to potentially thousands of requestors. The software provides millisecond or less response times while maintaining a 99.999% availability rate.

INFORMIX UPDATE

* Informix Tech Fair

An Informix Tech Fair will take place Feb. 20-21 at the Informix offices in Beaverton, Ore. The fair features three Informix architects from IBM, information on IDS 11 (and a sneak peek at the next release, informally known as "Cheetah 2"), and information about the 2008 Informix conference in Overland Park, KS, this April. There is no charge to attend.


SKILLS SET

* Low and No-Cost Certification Resources

The chances of passing a certification exam go up for candidates who know what to expect before taking the test. IBM offers Exam Preparation Documents to provide what candidates need to prepare for all Information Management certification exams. Complimentary certification preparation tutorials and affordable ($10 USD) practice tests are available.

* Optim Training from IBM

Since its purchase of Princeton Softech last year, IBM has added a series of training classes in the acquired company's Optim solutions for managing data growth, protecting data privacy, and test data management. Details of the training options are available online.

* Discount on DB2 9 for Developers

This new book, scheduled to be released in February, helps DB2 developers and DBAs implement DB2 9. DB2 guru and top consultant Philip Gunning shows how IBM has integrated native XML into the DB2 engine and gives developers and DBAs a detailed roadmap for implementing and exploiting the new XML capabilities. Pre-order and save more than $25.

* Enterprise Training Plans for ECM

Maximum returns on enterprise content management (ECM) software investments are only possible with a fully trained set of people to design, build, deploy, and support the solution. IBM offers a complimentary ECM Enterprise Training Plan to help organizations identify training needs. Filling out a brief online form is all that's required to tap this resource.

* IBM Instructor-Led Training

Prohibitive travel expenses gave rise to e-learning. Typically, however, online courses can't offer live instruction and group interaction. IBM developed Instructor-Led Online Training (ILO) to provide the benefits of a classroom to students who never have to leave their own sites.


IN THE ZONE

* Building the DB2 Health Monitor Sample Application for PHP, Part 2: DB2 pureXML or DOM? You Decide

* Shred XML Documents Using DB2 pureXML

* Using Server Studio JE with Informix Dynamic Server

* Implement New Security Capabilities in DB2 9.5, Part 1

* Port Your Oracle Applications to DB2 for Linux, Unix, and Windows

* Classify Your Enterprise Content and Manage Taxonomies

* XForms and Ruby on Rails at the Doctor's Office, Part 1: Setting up DB2 9 pureXML