New to DB2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows

	What is DB2?
	How can DB2 help me?
	How does DB2 compare to similar software products?
	How does DB2 work with other software products?
	Get started using DB2
	Trial downloads

This area is designed for people new to DB2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows.

• The big picture: IBM Information Management Software and DB2
  If you are new to DB2, this brief history contains the information you need to get on board fast, including a historical perspective, technology overview, the role of DB2 software in On Demand Business, and many references to help you get started.

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• Learn how IBM DB2 can help your business needs.
  Learn how DB2's leadership in Performance, Availability, Scalability, Innovation and Total Cost of Ownership will help your business succeed.

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Why wait for technology that DB2 delivers today? DB2's technology advantages have Oracle and Microsoft playing follow the leader. The following articles from third party analysts show why:

• IBM DB2 V8.2, Oracle 10g, Microsoft SQL Server 2000: A technical comparison
• Database Performance, IBM, Oracle, and Microsoft: An evaluation

Read more details about how DB2 capabilities map to capabilites in other relational databases:

• Microsoft SQL Server to IBM DB2 UDB Conversion Guide
• IBM DB2 UDB porting guide: Oracle to DB2
• Porting to DB2 from Sybase Adaptive Server or Microsoft SQL Server 2000

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DB2 provides a strong foundation of information integration technologies, including federation, replication, Web services, and XML.

Read detailed examples demonstrating how DB2 can integrate with other technologies:

• DB2 and Java
• DB2 and Visual Studio .NET
• DB2 Universal Database administration using Tivoli
• DB2 and Web Services

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• Getting started with DB2
  Begin learning how to use DB2. Compiled especially for those less experienced with DB2, this collection of material exposes you to many of the features that make DB2 Information Management products the platform of choice for so many technical professionals. In just about two hours, these training materials will prepare you to take a series of self-study tutorials and to download and tinker with DB2.
• DB2 basics 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.

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• IBM Information Management trial downloads

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IBM, DB2, and DB2 Universal Database are trademarks of IBM Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both. Linux is a trademark of Linus Torvalds in the United States, other countries, or both. UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group in the United States and other countries. Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both. Other company, product, or service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.