Are you aware that there is a version of DB2 that you can use free of charge? It is called DB2 Express-C and it is basically IBM's way of removing price as being the issue in terms of you trying out and using DB2. Think of it as a way to use DB2 just like you would use an open source DBMS (except you don't get the source code).
According to IBM: DB2 Express-C is a version of DB2 Express Edition (DB2 Express) for the community. DB2 Express-C is a no-charge data server for use in development and deployment of applications including: XML, C/C++, Java, .NET, PHP, and more. DB2 Express-C can be run on up to 2 dual-core CPU servers, with up to 4 GB of memory, any storage system setup and with no restrictions on database size or any other artificial restrictions.
So, if you are wondering what it means for DB2 to support pureXML, then you might want to download DB2 Express-C and try it out for yourself. DB2 Express-C can run on AIx, HP-UX, Linux, Solaris, and Windows.
Now why would I be writing about a LUW product on a z/OS blog? Well, DB2 9 for LUW and DB2 9 for z/OS both support pureXML in the same way. So even if you are a DB2 for z/OS user, getting familiar with the XML support in DB2 Express-C can prepare you to help plan for how you might want to use XML in DB2 9 for z/OS when it becomes available.
News, views, and items of interest on IBM's Db2 database management system and mainframes.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
New DB2 for iSeries Redbooks
I don't usually cover DB2 on the iSeries (you may still be calling it the DB2/400 or DB2 for the AS/400). But this week saw the release of two new redbooks on DB2 for iSeries, so I thought I'd mention them briefly here.
The first new redbook covers stored procedures, triggers, and user-defined functions, and it is called, appropriately enough, Stored Procedures, Triggers, and User-Defined Functions on DB2 Universal Database for iSeries. This redbook covers some of the announced features for stored procedures, triggers, and UDFs in V5R1, V5R2, V5R3, and V5R4. This redbook offers suggestions, guidelines, and practical examples on how to effectively develop DB2 for iSeries stored procedures, triggers, and UDFs.
The Ins and Outs of XML and DB2 for i5/OS is the second of the new DB2 for iSeries redbooks. As you might guess, this redbook focuses on XML. It covers the challenges of representing XML hierarchies in a relational DBMS, as well as provides an in-depth explanation of the most popular approaches to bridge the hierarchy / relational dilemma.
Also, if you are interested in XML and DB2 you might also want to check out the recently-published DB2 9 pureXML Guide, which covers pureXML in DB2 for LUW.
The first new redbook covers stored procedures, triggers, and user-defined functions, and it is called, appropriately enough, Stored Procedures, Triggers, and User-Defined Functions on DB2 Universal Database for iSeries. This redbook covers some of the announced features for stored procedures, triggers, and UDFs in V5R1, V5R2, V5R3, and V5R4. This redbook offers suggestions, guidelines, and practical examples on how to effectively develop DB2 for iSeries stored procedures, triggers, and UDFs.
The Ins and Outs of XML and DB2 for i5/OS is the second of the new DB2 for iSeries redbooks. As you might guess, this redbook focuses on XML. It covers the challenges of representing XML hierarchies in a relational DBMS, as well as provides an in-depth explanation of the most popular approaches to bridge the hierarchy / relational dilemma.
Also, if you are interested in XML and DB2 you might also want to check out the recently-published DB2 9 pureXML Guide, which covers pureXML in DB2 for LUW.
Friday, October 27, 2006
IBM Second in Software Sales
The San Francisco Chronicle reported today that IBM is officially the second largest software provider, bypassing former number two Oracle, but still behind number one Microsoft:
In its most recent quarter, IBM software generated $4.4 billion in revenue, and it's the company's main profit generator, with an 85 percent profit margin. Thirty-seven percent of IBM's profit comes from software. In 2005, it sold $15.8 billion worth of software, topping the $14.4 billion that Oracle posted in fiscal 2006, which ended June 30.
I find this news interesting. Often times IBM is excluded from software company discussions because they also sell hardward and services, so they are not always viewed as an ISV (independent software vendor). But I always thought this was unfair to IBM. After all, Oracle sells services, too. And Microsoft sells hardware, too - I mean, what is an XBOX if not hardware?
So give IBM their due... they are number two!
In its most recent quarter, IBM software generated $4.4 billion in revenue, and it's the company's main profit generator, with an 85 percent profit margin. Thirty-seven percent of IBM's profit comes from software. In 2005, it sold $15.8 billion worth of software, topping the $14.4 billion that Oracle posted in fiscal 2006, which ended June 30.
I find this news interesting. Often times IBM is excluded from software company discussions because they also sell hardward and services, so they are not always viewed as an ISV (independent software vendor). But I always thought this was unfair to IBM. After all, Oracle sells services, too. And Microsoft sells hardware, too - I mean, what is an XBOX if not hardware?
So give IBM their due... they are number two!
Thursday, October 26, 2006
DB2 9 for z/OS Article
Just a short blog post here to point everyone to an article I wrote for DB2 Magazine offering a high-level overview of what is coming with DB2 9 for z/OS. Note that there is no "V" before the "9" - that is courtesy of IBM marketing...
Anyway, the article is titled DB2 9 for z/OS Roars to Life. Check it out for a short introductory article covering the highlights of the next version of DB2 for z/OS, including coverage of XML, online schema evolution advances, new query capabilities, security and performance improvements, and a discussion of what features will be removed from DB2 9.
Anyway, the article is titled DB2 9 for z/OS Roars to Life. Check it out for a short introductory article covering the highlights of the next version of DB2 for z/OS, including coverage of XML, online schema evolution advances, new query capabilities, security and performance improvements, and a discussion of what features will be removed from DB2 9.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Check out New IBM Information Management Blog Site
IBM has launched a new blog site for Information Management. The site offers multiple blogs written by IBM product managers, technical architects, marketing managers and strategists. These folks will blog about issues and trends in information management... as well as IBM products that support information management.
Recent posts cover last week's IBM Information on Demand conference, Informix 4-GL, and the impact of unstructured information on business intelligence. I'm sure I'll be checking this site out regularly for tidbits of news on what IBM is up to in terms of managing data and information.
Recent posts cover last week's IBM Information on Demand conference, Informix 4-GL, and the impact of unstructured information on business intelligence. I'm sure I'll be checking this site out regularly for tidbits of news on what IBM is up to in terms of managing data and information.
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