Don't Forget About IBM Redbooks!

Many of my readers are probably aware of IBM redbooks, but for those who are not, here is a quick introduction to a valuable free technical resource. 

If you've been working with any IBM technology for any period of time you've probably become familiar with the IBM redbook. These are supplemental manuals that IBM employees and customers write and distribute free-of-charge over the Internet at http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/. There are redbooks on just about any technical topic that you might imagine - (and for the many Db2 zealots who follow my blog, 

IBM sponsor redbooks and guides the projects that are put together to write them. Some are written by IBMers but many are written by IBM's customers who are actual technology practitioners. Redbooks are written via residencies. A residency is an intensive, multi-week work effort where small teams explore and document product implementation, integration and operations. Each team is directed by an IBMer from their technical publications group. The team will consist of professionals from IBM field and development, from IBM Business Partners, from customers, and from the marketplace in general. So, you too, can research and write an IBM redbook! Of course, you have to make sure that you have the expertise, willingness, and time to work on the project. 

But more importantly, anyone can enjoy the results. IBM publishes all of its redbooks on the web in Adobe PDF format. And anyone can download any redbook for free! So all you need is an Internet connection and the free Adobe Reader software to start reading redbooks. 

Some of my favorite redbooks over the years have addressed topics like stored procedure development, IDAA, improving availability with parallel sysplex, Db2 13 for z/OS performance (there's usually one of these for each new Db2 version), and even AI and watsonx! 

And don't worry if your shop is not a big blue shop, you still might benefit from perusing the redbooks that are available. Yes, there are many redbooks on Db2, IBM Z, watsonx, WebSphere, CICS, and other IBM software products, but there are also redbooks on Linux, Windows, and other non-IBM software. There are even several SQL Server and Oracle redbooks. And these books are always very high quality - I've never read one that is sub-par... and the price is right. 

So, if you haven't checked out the IBM redbook library before - or even if you have, but not lately - take a moment to click over to the redbook site and search for a topic of your interest. You might be surprised at what is available there... 

Today's Modern Mainframe

IBM mainframes process two thirds of the world’s business information every day, and have
been doing so for decades, because of the many strengths provided by the mainframe, such
as high availability, good redundancy, high performance I/O capabilities, and much more.

But have you ever been challenged by an anti-mainframer by a statement like "Oh, aren't mainframes dead?" - or - "Why would anyone still use a mainframe?" Have you wanted a ready response that is easily digestible and not overly techie? Well, IBM has a new Redguide book titled The IBM Mainframe Today: System z Strengths and Values that might be of help.

This publication describes the business drivers, their impact on IT, and how the System z platform can be a major player for the business solution by providing flexibility, responsiveness to customers and market needs, as well as cost effectiveness. It also discusses the mainframe hardware, software, and environment, with an emphasis on the features and capabilities that make the System z mainframe a good choice for businesses.

Also, you may have noticed the new term: Redguide. Similar to an IBM Redbook, an IBM Redguide is not quite as technical as a Redbook, but more in-depth than a brochure or other pieces of "sales" collateral.

So, if you are a mainframer like me, you'll want to download and read The IBM Mainframe Today: System z Strengths and Value. After all, the price is right (free). And you'll want to keep an eye out for additional Redguides from IBM. Susan Visser recently blogged about the first 15 Redguides here.

New Data Sharing RedPaper

Just a quick FYI today to let you know about a new RedPaper offering information about exploiting client load balancing and fail over capabilities across a DB2 data sharing group (or a subset of the group members).

A RedPaper is sort of like a tip, only longer... and sort of like a RedBook, only shorter... Anyway, if you are interested in the topic, the RedPaper can be donwloaded for free by following this link:

DB2 9 for z/OS Data Sharing: Distributed Load Balancing and Fault Tolerant Configuration

New IBM RedBook on Dimensional Modeling

Just a quick post today (Memorial Day in the USA) to inform you about a new IBM RedBook on dimensional modeling. If you are working with data warehousing applications, writing analytical queries, or in any way dealing with databases and dimensional models, this free RedBook is well worth downloading and reading.

It is titled Dimensional Modeling: In a Business Intelligence Environment. The book is not intended to be an academic treatise, but a practical guide for implementing dimensional models oriented specifically to business intelligence systems.

Particularly interesting are the case studies in Chapters 7 and 8 that walk you through BI implementations.

Download it today... and enjoy it at your leisure.

Updated Stored Procedure RedBook for DB2 V9

If you are a stored procedure developer, or a DBA who manages a system with stored procedures - - and you are running DB2 9 for z/OS - - there is an updated RedBook you should download immediately. It is titled DB2 9 for z/OS Stored Procedures: Through the CALL and Beyond. You may have the previous edition, DB2 for z/OS Stored Procedures: Through the CALL and Beyond (SG24-7083)...

This new edition of an all-time favorite RedBook is newly updated to show the changes that have happened to DB2 stored procedures and related tools from V8 to V9. It offers examples and guidelines for developing stored procedures in several languages. You will also find many useful recommendations for setting up and tuning your environment for stored procedures in this free-to-download manual.

And if you are looking for some "stuff" on using Data Studio with stored procedures, this is the place to go... so, it is time to update by downloading this new edition today!