I bought this book because it was on a recommended reading list for various DB2 UDB Certifications. I had already had success with two of the other recommendations so I believed this would be helpful as well. I couldn't have been more wrong.
After reading Sanders DB2 Study Guide for the fundamentals (Test #700) and passing the exam, the Application Developer was the next logical step. I had already taken a sample test and nearly passed so I didn't have much to go to pass this CERT. After reading this book I question whether I got enough out of it to pass yet.
The first problem with this book, and it is my fault for not checking, is that the first six chapters is relevant to the fundamentals exam and not the Application Development exam. Since the fundamentals are a pre-requisite some might say it belongs here. I don't agree and was disappointed. I'll get to the second section in a minute. The third section contained bonus materials that are beyond the scope of the exam. That is fine with me because at least it was related material. While reading the second section however, right smack dab in the middle of it, was a chapter on the Administrative API. The written objective states, "The Administrative API is not covered in the DB2 Application Development Certification exam." My question, what is it doing here? If anything it could have been put in the last section. The main point is that this is indicative of the organization of the materials within each chapter as well. While reading the second section of the book I found sections of text that were copied from within the book and repeated. This wasn't done to reaffirm a topic but seemed that the author's intent was to replace it later with different text. The problem was that it was never changed and was just plain wrong information. This goes beyond the notion of typos and is unacceptable for a book of this nature. Another problem is this book contained no review questions and no sample test questions and yet it is supposed to be considered a certification guide. When I'm preparing for an exam I like to read some material and then get feedback to my level of understanding before moving on. Later on it gives me a follow-up study list to review weak areas.