IBM's DB2 Express Edition is one of the most capable of the free database platforms available in today's marketplace. In Beginning DB2, author Grant Allen gets you started using DB2 Express Edition for web sites, desktop applications, and more. The author covers the basics of DB2 for developers and database administrators, shows you how to manage data in both XML and relational form, and includes numerous code examples so that you are never in doubt as to how things work. In this book, you'll find * A friendly introduction to DB2 Express Edition, an industrial-strength, relational database from IBM * Dozens of examples so that you are never in doubt as to how things work * Coverage of important language interfaces, such as from PHP, Ruby, C#, Python, and more * Aimed at developers who want a robust database to back their applications What you'll learn * Install and manage DB2 Express Edition on Linux and Windows. * Manage IML data seamlessly using IBM's pureXML storage engine. * Connect DB2 databases to web and desktop applications via languages such as PHP, Ruby, C#, Python, and more. * Protect your data with a sound backup and restore strategy. * Design and manage database schemas and security within the database. * Know when and why to upgrade to more powerful editions of DB2. Who this book is for Application developers, including web application developers, looking for a robust, zero-cost database to back their applications. Database administrators looking to get up to speed quickly with DB2.