relational databases

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.

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.

This book was very useful in providing me a greater understanding of the material.