DB2, Big Data and Cloud webinar on Dec 6

The next Chat with the Lab is on Tuesday, December 6. Experts from IBM and RightScale will jointly cover DB2, big data, and cloud computing topics:

Leveraging Clouds for Small and Big Data

Date:	Dec 6, 2011
Time:	12:30 PM - 2:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Hosted By:	Rav Ahuja (IBM)
Presented By:	Leon Katsnelson (IBM), Uri Budnik (RightScale), Robert Thomas (IBM)

Many experts agree that Cloud Computing has now matured past the initial hype phase and that organizations large and small have started to derive real benefits by placing applications and data on Clouds. In this webinar we will discuss how to leverage Cloud Computing for managing data and gaining insights from big data. We will cover various Cloud options (public, private, and hybrid) available for managing data in the Cloud with IBM DB2 database server as well as for deriving value from big data using IBM BigInsights hadoop-based platform. We will also show you how to be up and running in as little as a few minutes using free editions of DB2 and BigInsights. You ought to find this session useful regardless of whether you are a beginner or expert in cloud computing or big data.

To learn more please Join Uri Budnik (RightScale), Leon Katsnelson (IBM), and Rav Ahuja (IBM) on Tuesday December 6th, 2011 at 12:30 PM Eastern.

Presentation slides will be available for download from ibm.com/db2/labchats shortly before the webcast starts.

• Register to attend

Over 10,000 people sign up for DB2 University

This morning, DB2 University reached the milestone of 10,000 registered users taking free courses on SQL, DB2, Data Studio, and other topics. The courses are self-paced, with exercises after every topic and a test at the end. People who complete a course receive a certificate and possibly other rewards.

If you've just downloaded the new DB2 Express-C 9.7.5, taking a course on DB2 University might be a good way to bring yourself up to speed.

Download DB2 Express-C 9.7.5, now with Oracle compatibility

The free IBM DB2 Express-C database now includes the same Oracle compatibility features as IBM's enterprise databases. These features include support for PL/SQL, CLP+, data types, syntax, and much more.

Other new features in the 9.7.5 release include:

• Enhancements for migrating SQL C applications from other database systems
• Support for nested array and row types
• New HexToRaw, NVL2, and SubStr2 functions and enhancements to other functions
• Additional diagnostic options for various commands

Next steps

• Download DB2 Express-C 9.7.5
• Take free courses on DB2 University

Hadoop programming challenge extended

The Hadoop programming challenge at Big Data University has been extended to October 10th. This is due to many of the nearly 2000 people who've taken the Hadoop Fundamentals course asking for an extension.

The challenge involves completing the Hadoop Fundamentals course and doing an additional exercise to demonstrate skill and creativity with the Hadoop data processing framework. The submission deadline is now Monday, October 10th, 11:59pm PST.

Three participants in the challenge will be selected for an expense paid trip to the IOD conference in Las Vegas.

Big Data University and its sister site DB2 University offer free courses in SQL, Hadoop, and other topics.

Cheers,

Leons Petrazickis
DB2 Community Team

Free InfoSphere Data Architect book, now in Chinese

The free Getting Started with InfoSphere Data Architect book is now available in Simplified Chinese as well as English. InfoSphere Data Architect (IDA) is a data modelling and integration tool aimed at the enterprise. The book aims to help you:

• Learn how to work with logical and physical database designs
• Learn how to create, deploy, and update data models
• Discover how to forward- and reverse-engineer your data sources
• Learn more about data privacy, security, and lifecycle management
• Practice using hands-on exercises   

The book is part of the DB2 on Campus book series, which includes among others:

• Database Fundamentals
• Getting Started with DB2 Express-C
• Getting Started with Data Studio
• Getting Started with DB2 Application Development
• Getting Started with pureQuery

Next Steps

• Get the book: Getting Started with InfoSphere Data Architect
• Get the trial: InfoSphere Data Architect
• Get the free database: DB2 Express-C

Cheers,

Leons Petrazickis

DB2 Community Team

Go back to school, take a free SQL course

DB2 University is a site that offers free online courses in basic SQL as well as DB2, Data Studio, and other technologies. The courses are self-paced and guide students through series of exercises. Course completion is recognized with a certificate.

At the time of writing, DB2 University boasts of nearly 6000 students worldwide who've taken a quick course or two and bolstered their database skills.

The Big Data University sister site is running an interesting promotion for its Hadoop Fundamentals I course. The best three students who complete the free Hadoop course and an additional exercise for October 3rd will get to go on an expenses-paid five day trip to Las Vegas and attend the Information on Demand 2011 conference.

Hadoop is an open source programming framework for processing large quantities of data in computer clusters. It's part of IBM's InfoSphere BigInsights offering.

Next steps

• Take the free SQL Fundamentals I course
• Take the free Hadoop I course

Cheers,

Leons Petrazickis
DB2 Community Team

Get Data Studio 2.2.1.1

The free IBM Data Studio tools for DB2 have been updated with new features:

• Table Data Editor that can directly edit data in tables, views, aliases, and materialized query tables, as well as browse through data in nicknames and synonyms
• Filters in Administration Explorer to quickly find the object you are looking for
• Impact and dependency analysis for routines and packages to allow easier change management
• Performance enhancements for catalog navigation
• Support for Kerberos, Citrix XenApp, and TABLESAMPLE (see changelog)

It's available for download today:

• Download DB2 Express-C database
• Download Data Studio Standalone
• Download Data Studio IDE instead if you develop Java stored procedures or web services
• Free book: Getting Started with Data Studio

Cheers,

Leons Petrazickis
DB2 Community Team