Getting started with DB2 Express-C

DB2 Express-C data server software (“DB2 Express-C”) is a member of the IBM DB2 family of powerful data server software for managing both relational and XML data. DB2 Express-C is a free, no-limits, and easy to use edition of DB2. The ‘C’ in DB2 Express-C stands for the Community. A community of DB2 Express-C users that bands together to assist each other, both online and offline. The DB2 Express-C community consists of all sorts of people and companies who design, develop, deploy, or utilize database solutions.

Community members include:

• Application developers who require an open standards database software for building standalone, client-server, web-based, and enterprise applications
• ISVs, hardware vendors, infrastructure stack vendors, and other types of solution providers who want to bundle or embed a full-featured data server as part of their solutions
• Consultants, database administrators, and IT architects who need a robust data server for training, skills development, evaluation and prototyping
• Startups, small and medium-sized companies who need a reliable data server for their applications and operations
• Database hobbyists and cutting-edge technology enthusiasts who want an easy to use data server for building Web 2.0 and next generation applications
• Students, teachers, and other academic users who want a highly versatile data server for teaching, courseware, projects and research

DB2 Express-C shares the same core functionality and code-base as the other priced editions of DB2 on Linux, UNIX, and Windows. DB2 Express-C can be run on either 32-bit or 64-bit systems with Linux or Windows operating systems. It is also available on Solaris (x64) and as a beta on Mac OS X (x64). It can be run on systems with any amount of processors and memory and does not have any specialized storage or system setup requirements. DB2 Express-C also includes pureXML at no charge. pureXML is a technology unique to DB2 that stores and processes XML documents natively.