Read these articles for an overview of DB2:

• Which distributed edition of DB2 9.5 is right for you?
  Learn the details on what makes each edition of DB2 9.5 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows unique. The author lays out the specifications for each edition, outlines licensing considerations, historical changes from DB2 9, and describes some interesting things customers are doing with each edition of DB2. This popular article has been rewritten for the DB2 9.5 release and is current as of the date of publication.
  
  
• Compare the distributed DB2 9.5 data servers
  In a side-by-side comparison table, author Paul Zikopoulos makes it simple to understand the basic licensing rules, functions, and feature differences between the members of the distributed DB2 9.5 data server family.
  
  

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Read these book excerpts for more in depth knowledge of functionality:

• Getting Started with DB2 Express-C
  This book is ideal for developers, consultants, ISVs, DBAs, students, or anyone who wants to get started with DB2.
  

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• Download DB2 Express-C software

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Now that you're familiar with DB2, you are ready to put that knowledge to use. The tutorial series below provides an introduction to SQL and covers how DB2 9 is packaged and installed, how to create databases and database objects, and the basics of database security and transaction isolation.

• DB2 9 Fundamentals exam 730 prep, Part 1: Planning
  This tutorial introduces the basics of the DB2 products and tools, along with the concepts of data warehousing and OLAP.
  
  
• DB2 9 Fundamentals exam 730 prep, Part 2: Security
  This tutorial introduces you to DB2 security. Learn about DB2 authentication, authorization, and privileges.
  
  
• DB2 9 Fundamentals exam 730 prep, Part 3: Accessing DB2 data
  This tutorial gives you an introduction to the objects that make up a DB2 database, and the different factors which affect how the database is created. After a brief introduction to DB2 objects, learn about the tools available to create, access, and manipulate DB2 objects.
  
  
• DB2 9 Fundamentals exam 730 prep, Part 4: Working with DB2 data
  This tutorial introduces you to Structured Query Language (SQL), and gives you the basics of how DB2 9 uses SQL to manipulate data in a relational database.
  
  
• DB2 9 Fundamentals exam 730 prep, Part 5: Working with DB2 objects
  This tutorial discusses data types, tables, views, and indexes as defined by DB2 9. It explains the features of these objects, how to create and manipulate them using Structured Query Language (SQL), and how they can be used in an application.
  
  
• DB2 9 Fundamentals exam 730 prep, Part 6: Data concurrency
  This tutorial introduces you to the concept of data consistency and to the various mechanisms that are used by DB2 9 to maintain database consistency in both single and multi-user environments.
  
  
• DB2 9 Fundamentals exam 730 prep, Part 7: Introducing Xquery
  DB2 9 features significant new support for storing, managing, and querying XML data. Learn how to query data stored in XML columns using XQuery.

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Feature articles:

• DB2 basics article series
  These articles are geared toward beginning users. The DB2 basics series introduces fundamental topics and provides a walk through of situations often encountered by the first time user.
  
  
• DB2's Command Line Processor and scripting
  This article shows you how to use the Command Line Processor (CLP) to your advantage. But, if your command of SQL is strong -- or you want to enter one quick command to verify the installation of DB2 -- the command line is ideal, and usually faster than submitting similar requests through a front-end. The CLP is a direct route to every DB2 programming interface.
  
  
• Quick reference: Common DB2 Command Line Processor (CLP) Commands
  A crisis hits, you need to issue commands, and the syntax escapes your mind. This handy deskside reference, although not complete, can help you remember most of the commonly used commands, especially if you are new to DB2.
  
  
• DB2 Detective Game
  A fun way to learn about IBM DB2! Learn or teach the basics of DB2 and relational database with an interactive game called The DB2 Detective Game. The game teaches relational database concepts and shows how technology can be applied to solving real-life problems (the game's theme is a crime investigation). This tutorial has been updated for DB2 9.
  
  
• DB2 Business Game
  If you're a beginner with DB2 and SQL, you may wonder how the technical skills you're learning are used in the "real world." Here is a chance for you to put your DB2 SQL skills into play in this interactive game! Jump into a "run your own business" scenario, where your company's future depends on a key report needed to secure funds for a critical upgrade. Use your relational database skills to build this report.
  
  
• SQL and XQuery tutorial for IBM DB2: SQL and XQuery tutorial series for IBM DB2
  This tutorial series introduces readers to the Aroma database to apply Structured Query Language (SQL) and XML Query (XQuery) knowledge to solve typical business questions. Also included are detailed instructions for installing DB2 and the Aroma database. This tutorial series has seven parts.
  
  
• Recommended reading list: DB2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows database administration
  Learn about DB2 with this reading list, compiled especially for the database administrator community. This popular article is updated to include the latest content that has been published for DB2 9.
  
  

Online skills and technical information:

• Training and certification
  The home base for developing skills. Find out all you need to know about getting skilled and certified.
  
  
• developerWorks DB2
  Access our vast library of information on database, analysis, and enterprise content management, featuring white papers, tips, Q&A, Webcasts, and sample code.
  
  

Publications:

• DB2 Information Management books
  Get the latest publications by industry experts.
  
  
• Journals and newsletters
  Subscribe to DB2 Information Management periodicals.
  
  
• IBM Redbooks
  Find technical how-to guides on DB2 Information Management software.
  
  
• DB2 Version 9.5 for Linux, UNIX and Windows English manuals
  Find PDF manuals for DB2 9.5 products, and additional components such as DB2 Connect and IBM WebSphere® Federation Server.
  
  

User groups:

• International DB2 users group (IDUG)
  Connect with a community of other developers.
  
  

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