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Introduction Certification "Good value"? How do I verify the exam? What should you learn? How to get certified to share your resource for free? Reference information about the author's evaluation
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Howard Fosdickibm Certified DB2 DBA 2004 February
Undoubtedly, the certification era has arrived. But as DB2? Professionals, should you take the certification? Is the certification increase your ability or help your career? How to quickly and don't have to spend too much by certification? The last issue is the key - find out some internal information about DB2 authentication before you continue to save you a lot of time and money. This article tells you about whether to determine if DB2 authentication is suitable for information you must understand, if the authentication is suitable for you, you will find the success, fast and no need to spend too much "secret".
Introduction The most obvious trend in the IT occupation is certification. Anywhere in the sight is visible ... Certified books are filled with bookstores, and classroom training now guarantees you "certification exam, IT professionals even use their" certificate "list to sign their email. Undoubtedly, the certification era has arrived. But as DB2® professionals, should you take the certification? Is the certification increase your ability or help your career? How to quickly and don't have to spend too much by certification? The last issue is the key - find out some internal information about DB2 authentication before you continue to save you a lot of time and money. This article tells you about whether to determine if DB2 authentication is suitable for information you must understand, if the authentication is suitable for you, you will find the success, fast and no need to spend too much "secret". Certified "Good value"? First of all, we must realize that a complete industry has formed from certification in the society. Trainers sell for certified courseware, consultants have launched training, publishers sell books, and suppliers do a few more. Therefore, you cannot accept most of these things with your surface impression. Let us take a different approach, and objectively look at this problem from the perspective of IT professionals. Why is it certified? Some people conduct certifications to prove the knowledge they have, or in order to obtain the inner satisfaction brought by certification. "By certified DB2 developers" is excellent than the certified developers, this problem is very controversial. We can be sure: If you pass authentication, you will eventually learn more about DB2 at the beginning. Many people are certified for career purposes. If you think so, then you need:
Choose a product that accounts for the main market share (and the share is also rising). Investigate the particular certified market that you are interested in. For the first point, DB2 is the correct choice. Most analysts believe that IBM has already opened Oracle, accounting for the largest share of the database market (1). For example, Figure 1 shows a recent survey number (2) from Gartner DataQuest.
The first test experienced some people feel difficult ... "My first test is a disaster ... and I really have a knowledge! I don't despise this certification ..." - Bob K., Database Administrator "That is completely unlikely. No one knows all materials! I will never know how I passed. Maybe it is a powerful force in guiding my mouse." - Chris P., DB2 developer Some People feel high ... "As I expected ... if you are ready, there is nothing difficult. I am really happy when I am in listening and I came to the forum everywhere," - Rajni P., Database Administrator "Take a dish. Oh, not that is easy, but if you know what to prepare, it is actually not so bad. What other people are not the same?" - REILLY C. Why? " Everyone's experience is so different, this shows that before participating in the first certification exam, you need to learn what should be learned, how to learn. Those who have learned the test process through certification, using the correct reference materials, and participate in the appropriate practice test, will definitely walk in the front of those who don't do so. Walking in front of a few hours, it will make the authentication process easier, more effective, and eventually more successful. Sharing this information is to write this article. The market share of DB2 continues to expand. How does IBM win such a result in the "mature" market? IBM has acquired Informix® $ 1 billion and smartly invested another $ 1 billion to the Linux platform that is exploding, configuring DB2 as the dominant database (3) on the platform. But I have been real reasons for the situation of the informal investigation of the database market last year. Another manager told me: "The characteristics of DB2 and technology are premier, but the cost is far below oracle." Due to the different database market share, the platform type you use should be considered. DB2 occupies the absolute dominance of database shares on the mainframe and IBM E-Server® iSeries TM (AS / 400), and the database market share on each platform exceeds 90%. IBM occupies an important market share in the UNIX® platform database market, and the market share on Windows® Server is much smaller, but it is growing rapidly, ranked third. The survey data for the Linux platform is rough, but DB2 has dominated the status in the commercial database (3). The best way to verify the certified market is to check the recruitment advertisement on the Web. Do they mention this certification? If it is mentioned, then it is the authentication as "certificate priority" or the job needs? Now recruit advertisements rarely mention DB2 certification. This may reflect the DB2 authentication program update than any other authentication. Taking into account the investment in the database market and the statistical trend described above, the most likely that DB2 authentication is becoming more and more valuable. Can you enhance your career through certification depends on how you certified. Below is an example of the experience of my personal experience, IT professionals have been benefited from the use of certification:
A DB2 programmer who wants to go to the database management work. Gets DBA certification to make her achieve this shift. A very excellent DB2 developer in Java TM, but because he does not understand other methods developed by DB2 applications, it is considered that its own knowledge is too narrow. Get the "developer" certification gives him the width of him. Another mother who stayed at home wanted to re-participate after 10 years. She has been certified and successfully used as a "circulation certificate" of her ability. A united college student desperately wants to be a DBA, but only finds the programming work. By certifying a DB2 DBA proved his persistence of the target and found a entry-level DBA job. A mature database veteran realizes that he needs to update his skills. Certification has completed this task and provides him with a proof. Do you have age discrimination? His certificates are as new as any other person's certificate. It is necessary to trade out the payment of the payment. Popularization Web site, discussion on Cramsession.com and Certification Magazine indicates that most IT professionals spend two to five weeks of learning to prepare an exam. A new DB2 distribution will appear every few years. When there is a new DB2 release, you must also participate in the "Update" exam to keep your certificate is the latest. Money spended for each certification may be as high as a few thousand dollars, but as I discussed below, if you know how to go through the exam, then you can use a book, you can pass the certification (my DB2 DBA certification. Less than $ 150). Finally, consider the "opportunity cost" of the certification. If you do not authenticate, how do you use the time that is originally spent on the authentication? Some people may prefer to learn or explore knowledge of the new field. As the contractor, I have benefited from the certification. It provides direct credibility for the potential employers who have not facilitated my noodles, and act as my "trial" when signing the interview. It makes me feel favored in today's fiercely competitive talent market. Many employers really want to have certain measurements to distinguish between qualified candidates as soon as possible. Regardless of fairness or not, they have used IT certification as a gauge. There is no doubt that DB2 authentication helps your career, but in the end, everyone must decide whether to spend time and effort. How to authenticate can be certified by one or more tests. The DB2 Version 8 Authentication "Road Map" in Figure 2 shows: through the desired entry test "DB2 series base, 700", you have been certified to become a DB2 database assistant. Then participate in any one of the five-door additional certification exam according to the area you are interested in. For example, to be a DB2 database administrator through a certified DB2 database, we must pass the "DB2 DBA for" through the "DB2 DBA For Linux, UNIX and Windows, 701" exam. Z / OS, 702 "(Note: There will be a # 702 exam in the first quarter of 2004). You can also become an application developer through the "DB2 Family Applications Development, 703" exam, or through the "DB2 Business Intelligence, 705" exam, or through the # 442 exam. administrator. The DB2 certification program is particularly good lies in its modularity. After entering the test # 700 through "DB2 Family Fundamentals, you can take any exams you like. Every test will give you another certification. IBM introduces several new features in the Version 8 authentication plan. First, there is a three-way road that reaches three incremental DBA certification levels.
This clear path replaced the confusion of the senior "CERTIFIED Solution Expert (CSE" exam in Version 7: Table 1. Version 8 DBA Certified Path Steps Examination Number Authentication 1.700db2 Family Fundamentals Database Assistant 2.701db2 Database Administration Database Administrator 3.704db2 Advanced Database Administration Advanced Database Administrator Version 8 plans to introduce a single exam, and you can upgrade their certification through this exam through the Test through the Test of Version 7. This is the so-called "DB2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows Version 8 Upgrade Exam, 706". If you are certified by Version 7, you only need to participate in this new upgrade test, or just through the standard database management exam # 701, you can upgrade your DBA authentication to Version 8. The Upgrade test is characterized by less problem, which is a shorter exam, but you can get more research information to help you pass the standard DBA exam - # 701. In Version 8, IBM introduced a new exam called "DB2 Problem Determination Mastery Exam". This exam involves determining issues using DB2 tools in installation, configuration, communication. Technically, this is not a certification exam, so it does not have formal prerequisites, you can't get a formal certificate through this exam. Those who have been certified for DBA and want to strengthen (and confirming) their ability to identify and solve problems in problem recognition and solvement will be very interested. This exam is just $ 40 and can participate in online through the network. To understand the full information of the exam, and get the free download of nine learning guides, please visit the Web page of the exam, the URL is: http://www.ibm.com/software/data/support/pdm/db2exam.html . To participate in any certification exam, just access the Prometric (test organization). If you are a person outside North America, please visit the test organization Pearson Vue. These websites list a test center (usually, there are many test points for you to choose from), you can sign up in the exam online. Please bring two forms of photo identification to the test point to take the test during the test time you agree. The test site staff assigns a PC for you, and you will examine the standardized multi-selected topic interface on that PC. Table 2 shows how many questions have every DB2 exam, and you need to answer how many questions on the exam, and time for each test. Table 2. Exam information
The number of times the number of exam topics Exam Name topic of correct answers needed to pass the exam (minutes) 700DB2 UDB V8.1 Family Fundamentals5461% 75701DB2 UDB V8.1for Linux, UNIX and Windows Database Administration7061% 90702DB2 UDB V8.1 for z / OS Database Administrationn / an / an / a703DB2 UDB V8.1 Family Application Development6357% 75704DB2 UDB V8.1 for Linux, UNIX and Windows Advanced Database Administration5756% 75705DB2 Business Intelligence Solutions V8.15658% 75706DB2 UDB V8.1 for Linux, UNIX and Windows Database Administration Upgrade Exam3055% 40442db2 Content Manager V86464% 90N / Adb2 Problem Determination Masteryn / AN / A60 Be sure to read the Terms and Conditions of IBM exams before starting the certification exam, and the current interpretation is to ensure that you have the bottom before the payment. What is the exam? Different examines have different experiences. But there are still some common wisdom crystals. The topic of the DB2 exam is more difficult than other database vendors. However, as shown in Table 2, the percentage of the test questions required by the exam is very low. The experience of the IDUG discussion suggests that the pass rate of the DB2 exam is 75%. Please remember that all topics are multi-selection questions, so you should answer each option (your answer is not detained, so at least you can also guess). The test software allows you to "tag" the topic to return, so you can skip the problem, and then go back to solve them. The test time is sufficient. Even if you check your answer carefully, you will only take the specified time. When you complete the exam, click the Done button, the software will immediately display whether you pass. You can print a copy of the on-site printing with a printer connected to the LAN. If passing, IBM will mail a certificate that can hang on the wall. You can also request it by email. What if the test is not completed during the specified time? The screen will freeze, a message tells you that the exam has ended, you will see the same "whether it passes" when you click the Done button. You must learn for your preparation exam. If you don't learn, even if you are the most authoritative DB2 developer is useless. The scope of the exam is wider than the knowledge base of most IT professionals, and the exam is very specific. Their design is very stringent. Compared with competition database vendors, IBM DB2 exams seems to have too much "pursuit of detail" types, and more questions require "in-depth thinking." The exam is to test your DB2 knowledge and solve the ability of DB2 issues (not just to remember the ability to verify the content of the Guide). My feelings are that they have achieved better results than competitors. It is ready to stay calm when you encounter some tricky problems. Remember that you can follow the exam, you can feel relieved. You can get a useful background information about the authentication in the Certification Magazine Web site and Cramsession. In the learning process, you can also go to DBAZINE, DATABASE JOURNAL, IDUG's Web Site, IBM DB2 Developer Garden, DBForums.com and discussion forums at DBFORUMS.COM and Database Toolbox seek technical assistance. These are very useful resources, with a large number of technical articles and active online communities that can be learned.
What should you learn? Specially targeted books is your best choice. The contents of these books just matches the exam you will have to participate. Other DB2 books are also useful for your achievements, but you will be concentrated in these designs to help you pass the certified books. Table 3 lists DB2 authentication books and other valuable books. You can use these books that have been prepared by using these books to prepare for books on websites such as Amazon or Barnes and Noble to do enlightenment, or buy these books on these websites. The IBM website also provides a list of certified books. I personally recommend using the DB2 V8 certification guide compiled by Roger Sanders. Each book is for a DB2 test and includes "practical problems" to hone your exam. These books are strictly designed for exams: Little does not waste your time on irrelevant materials, and don't miss anything you need to understand (full exposure - I have not received any money from these books, but only A free commentator is acting as a high commentator and gives it a high evaluation). Table 3. DB2 Version 8 certified books
The name of the applicable examination ISBN 700DB2 UDB V8.1 Certification Exam 700 Study GuideRoger Sanders0131424653700, 701DB2 UDB V8.1 for Linux, Unix, and Windows Database Administration Certification GuideBaklarz and Wong0130463612701DB2 UDB V8.1 Certification Exams 701 and 706 Study GuideRoger Sanders0131840487703DB2 UDB V8 .1 Application Development Certification GuideMartineau and other 0130463914702DB2 UDB for OS / 390 Version 7.1 Certification Guide (Version 8 release in the first quarter of 2004) Yevich and Lawsonl0130650765705Business Intelligence for the EnterpriseMike Biere0131413031704Advanced DBA Certification Guide and Reference for DB2 UDB V8.1 for Linux, Unix and WindowsSnow and other 0130463884706This book also covers the Upgrade Exam - DB2 UDB V8.1 Certification Exams 701 and 706 Study GuideRoger Sanders0131424653 other valuable DB2 books --DB2 Version 8: the Official GuideZikopoulos etc. 0131401580 - DB2 UDB V8 Handbook for Windows and UNIX / Linuxphilip Gunning0130661112 - Teach Yourself DB2 UDB in 21 Days (for Version 8) Susan Visser and Bill Wong0672325829 - D B2 Developer's GuideCraig Mullins0672311682 - DB2: The Complete Reference (for Version 7) Zikopoulos such as 0072133449 - DB2: The Complete Reference (for Version 7) Zikopoulos etc. 0072133449512DB2 Fundamentals Certification for Dummies (For Version 7) Zikopoulos such as 0764508415512, 513DB2 Administration All -In-One Exam Guide (for Version 7) Roger Sanders0072133759 No matter which set of authentication guides you choose, if you add enough learning materials, you will increase the opportunity to pass the exam. Here are some suggestions. IBM provides two sets of free courses where you can install and learn on your PC. The two courses are GUI-based and interactive. The first set of DB2 developer certification (700 and 703 exam), the second set of Linux / UNIX / Windows DBA exam (700 and 701 exam). These two courses can be downloaded from IBM http://www7b.software.ibm.com/dmdd/trainingcertification.html.
These two courses are excellent. IBM also offers a free interactive online tutorial (6 articles) for helping you prepare 700 exams, you can download from http://www7b.software.ibm.com/dmdd/trainingcertification.html, or Download directly from http://www7b.software.ibm.com/dmdd/library/tutorials/db2cert/db2cert_v8_tut.html. If you are a DB2 newbie, these are very good background knowledge. Participating in practice is important, that is, simulates the actual situation with similar problems. You need to prepare for testing. IBM provides a free online test for each certification exam. You can participate in any test from http://www7b.software.ibm.com/dmdd/trainingcertification.html or http://certify.torolab.ibm.com/ice/displaypage/en. To participate in these practical exams, you must have Internet Explorer 5 or more, or have Netscape Communicator 4.7 or above. Other resources that provide practical problems are the certified books compiled by Roger Sanders mentioned earlier. DB2 Developer Gardens There are free DB2 tutorials, technical articles, and you can "ask experts" or even "meeting experts". Please add this site to your browser's bookmark as the best place to learn DB2. To pass the exam, you will need DB2 practices. This practical experience can be obtained from the work, or the DB2 UDB V8 is installed on the home PC running Windows or Linux. You can download DB2 UDB directly from IBM's DB2 developer garden (just click IBM Support and Download Tags on top of the web page). Many certified books of the core exam with a CD-ROM, which has a DB2 UDB V8 trial version for Windows PC. The trial version of the trial version of these books is 180 days. The trial version of the download version is 90 days. If your authentication is taken for a long time, you can always reinstall the program. If you need any DB2 manual, they are available with the product and can be obtained when installing the database from the CD-ROM. Or you can download any manual (PDF format) from IBM. You can also download the IBM "Red Book" on the advanced topic from http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/fi ... These websites also allow you to order hard copies if needed. Do you need classroom training? I think that experienced IT professionals in the field involved is not training to pass. But people who are not familiar with the subject should consider participating in training. DB2 exam is quite difficult, so you are unlikely to learn from books. IBM training site can help you make a decision. IBM announced the official exam goal, recommended reference materials and training information and provides a short self-assessment test. Check these information carefully to make your exams ready for targeted. Your certification preparation should contain three key aspects:
Book study. Practical test. DB2 actual operation experience. The above information sources point out all relevant materials. How to get a Certified Certified article for free (4) It is estimated that a typical certification is between $ 4,000 to $ 10,000. Wow! This is really a lot of money if you pay the bill yourself. Your first step is to watch the boss will pay all of your certification or pay a part. According to the most recent informal survey (5), there are more than half of the boss pays most of the certification costs. To make the valuable value of manager convince, please obtain the promotional materials provided by IBM marketers and use it. For example, IBM training and certification sites provide video, certificates, prove, and others who can convincing your manager's convincing. thing. If your company does not pay authentication or training costs, you can minimize your point that the key is to make full use of the free resources provided by IBM. The biggest benefits of DB2 certification (compared to Oracle or SQL Server) is a highlighter and quality assurance of free IBM learning resources. Use these resources to make DB2 authentication as long as spend very little money. For example, my database administrator certified a total of less than $ 150. These are the only fees you really have to bear, that is, the purchase you will learn. You can save the test test fee by joining the discussion of the free test (currently $ 120 per test), such as the discussion of International DB2 Users Group (IDUG) and DB2 Technical Conference. We mentioned how to take a free PC-based course, tutorial and learning guide, how to get DB2 UDB and where to download free DB2 manuals and red books for free. Table 4 summarizes these resources and where they get them. Combined with certification books, they are all resources required by the exam. Table 4. Recommended free DB2 resources
Applicable Test Resources 700, 701DB2 Developer Garden Certification Column Most Semins Free Test: DB2 Users Group and Technical Conference 700EXAM Preparation Resources 701Exam Preparation Resources 700, 701 Downloadable PC-based DBA Courses 700, 703 Download-based PC All DB2 test version of the DB2 test all DB2 Red book all DB2 exam learning guide, suggestions, reference materials list and test skills All INTERNATIONAL DB2 Users Group provides a formal examination target of all Tests of all DB2 resources, Simulation Exam and References List All DB2 Magazine About DB2 Certified General Columns Problem Determination Mastery A total of 9 download tutorial courses (for this exam) Although DB2 certification cost spending has been minimized, your time It is also a valuable limited resource. Here, you must first need to seek support for the boss. Companies that do not pay employee certification costs will usually provide learning time during work. The key is to show them that the company will get practical benefits from your study. Most companies want to quantify training and progress. This is just compliant with the certification because the authentication produces a quantifiable result. To persuade managers to accept the value of certification, there is no "advertising" written than the supplier's market professionals. Give your manager to see IBM's certification value. If your company does not support you to participate in the certification, we have also introduced you how to minimize your actual expenditure. Even if your company does not allow you to study, Certified books, DB2 manuals and red books and other DB2 reference materials are reasonable tools for working problems. If you apply these materials in your work, you have greatly improved your work efficiency and problem-solving skills, so you are unlikely to object to you. Share your resources I know that several IT professionals have successfully passed the certification by creating a learning team or organizing "learning partners". At this point, you have learned that the certification needs to have some pre-work in collecting reference materials and judgment, and how to learn. If you finish with your friends, the whole process will make much simple (and more interesting). If you take this approach, make sure you have a consistent goal. If there is no relationship between someone in the study team, there is no relationship, but a shared timetable is critical. In order to make the team a role, all members must promise to participate in the same order in the same time period. Is there a friend who is interested in the same authentication? Try the virtual community of a website below. What is next? DB2 authentication "Good value" is largely depends on personal decision. I, my friends and peers have benefited from it, but before you get to the certification, please study this problem according to your needs. Research certified trends and certification groups in major certification sites (like cramsession.com, ceertification magazine or certifiedcomputepro). Investigate online recruitment advertisements in Monster, Dice and Justdb2jobs website. And join the DB2 developer garden, the online DB2 community of the IDUG or DBFORUMS website. Then make decisions about certification and cost. Some of the rules that successfully passed any product certification were not written. The participants who understand these rules before the exam will have a significant advantage. I have included these DB2 "Certification" this article. I wish the exam smooth! Reference
You can refer to this article in the world of English on the WorldWorks global site. (1) DB2 Developer Garden Certification Column, which contains free authentication tutorials and other certified information. (2) An article from 05/26/03, 03/17/03, 05/08/02 to 07/07, 05/08/02 to 07/07; infoWorld, 05/08/02; Database Trends and Applications, 07/02 and 06/02; Intelligent Enterprise 06/28/02. (3) Gartner DataQuest statistics, from EWEEK, 05/26/03, page 18. (4) The Rdbms Top Ten: License Sales Analysis and Market Forecast, 2001-2006. Document # 28096. International Data Corp. (IDC), 10/02. (5) ComputerWorld 03/01. (6) October 2003 published advertisements on cramsession.com. About the author Howard Fosdick is IBM certified DB2 DBA and Oracle certified DBA. He is the founder and the former president of IDUG and MIDWEST DATABASE USERS Group. He is actually an independent DBA contractor, you can contact him through hfosdick@compuserve.com.
