Beginning SQL Server 2005 Express for Developers: From Novice to Professional (Expert's Voice in .NET) Review

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Beginning SQL Server 2005 Express for Developers: From Novice to Professional (Expert's Voice in .NET) ReviewThis is an excellent book for learning SQL Server 2005 Express. I started learning MS Access in 2003 when my wife asked me to develop a database for her to use at work. At the time I knew only the words "relational database". Over 99% of what I needed to know to develop that contact and resource management database to its fully featured capability came from multiple books.
The expectations have changed over time and now I need to use SQL Server 2005 Express as a back end with Access as the front end for that database. Knowing nothing about SQL Server 2005, I needed a very good book to help bring me up to speed. I found that in Robin Dewson's "Beginning SQL Server 2005 Express."
From the installation of SQL Server 2005 Express through an explanation of Triggers and Reporting Services, there is a clear and concise explanation of each aspect with the opportunity to Try It Out. I needed to know all of what he presents and I was especially interested in Installation, Security, and Database Backup, Recovery, and Maintenance. The Installation chapter explains very carefully and clearly authentication mode, service accounts, user instances, etc. The Security chapter clearly explains logins, server roles, database roles, and schemas. The Database Backup, Recovery, and Maintenance chapter is also clear and carefully written with information on types of backups, detaching and attaching a database, and transaction logs.
The Chapter headings are:
1. SQL Server 2005 Express Overview and Installation
2. SQL Server Management Studio Express
3. Database Design and Creation
4. Security
5. Defining Tables
6. Creating Indexes and Database Diagramming
7. Database Backup, Recovery, and Maintenance
8. Working with the Data
9. Building a View
10. Stored Procedures
11. T-SQL Essentials
12. Advanced T-SQL
13. Triggers
14. Reporting Services
Robin Dewson is a very good teacher with the gift of knowing how to present a concept and then build concept on concept. He also provides helpful tips on things to do and not to do.
Beginning SQL Server 2005 Express for Developers: From Novice to Professional (Expert's Voice in .NET) OverviewSQL Server 2005 Express Edition is a free relational database management system from Microsoft and provides a major subset of full SQL Server 2005 functionality. Many users learn on SQL Server 2005 Express Edition and then move on to SQL Server 2005. Users can also develop significant real-world solutions in SQL Server 2005 Express Edition and then migrate them to the full version. In fact, for small databases and organizations, the Express Edition is often adequate on its own to support business needs. Its user base is rapidly growing.This book is a comprehensive, clear, and gentle introduction to all fundamental aspects of SQL Server 2005 Express and the T-SQL database language. It assumes no prior experience in databases or programming and is ideal for any new SQL Server Express user, whatever their use of SQL Server Express.

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Mastering Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Review

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Mastering Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition ReviewBefore I had got this book I had been reading tutorials on the internet. I wanted a single source of information so I started looking for a book. I'm just starting to get into SQL Server and I'm going to convert an Access DB into SQL Server 2005 Express.
My experience with Access was learn as you go because I needed to get the app finished asap. By the time I was done I wanted to redo the whole app again using the knowledge I'd gained through the whole process. Now I do not have time constraints and like I said I'm going to redo the Access DB in SQL Server 2005 Express, but I didn't want to make the mistake of jumping in right away and learning as I go. So I decided to read up as much as I could before starting.
After reading this book I feel I have a solid understanding of most the aspects of SQL Server 2005 Express. What I wanted most was to learn about backups and security which this book does a good job of covering. I think the strongest attribute of the book is it reads easy and fast, but has good information. The chapters are kept short so it is easy to finish each in one sitting.
I gave it four stars because to me it is a comprehensive book, but after reading it I don't believe I have "mastered" SQL Server 2005 Express. I don't think anyone could with one book. I think it gives the reader a good base knowledge on most aspects but to master them you'd have to research further.Mastering Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition OverviewA Comprehensive Guide to Microsoft's New Express Edition of its Bestselling Database ServerMicrosoft's SQL Server 2005 Express Edition is the perfect fit if you're a small business owner, trainer, or student who doesn't need all the bells and whistles of the full version of SQL Server 2005. In this comprehensive guide written by two SQL Server experts, you'll find step-by-step explanations and simplified management tools forusing SQL Server Express in smaller-scale but still mission-critical situations. With a focus on practical tasks, the book thoroughlycovers both database administration and development, smoothly moving you from beginner to advanced subjects.Coverage Includes* Understanding basic database concepts* Getting to know database types: file server, client server, relational and more* Learning Structured Query Language (SQL) and SQL Server's Transact-SQL* Creating efficient and useful databases* Writing queries and stored procedures to explore your data* Automating the administration of your databases* Developing database applications with Visual Basic(r) Express* Using SQL Server Management Studio Express* Sharing data between multiple servers* Monitoring and optimizing SQL Server ExpressFeatured on CDCD includes Microsoft(r) SQL Server Express and Visual Basic(r) Express!Leverage the Experience of Experts through Real-World ExamplesIncrease Your Own Productivity with an Entire Chapter on TroubleshootngDiscover Practical Solutions to a Database Administrator's NeedsReduce Complexity and Build Simple Data-Driven Applications

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Pro T-SQL 2005 Programmer's Guide (Expert's Voice) Review

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Pro T-SQL 2005 Programmer's Guide (Expert's Voice) ReviewShort Summary:
Pro T-SQL 2005 Programmer's Guide book examines SQL Server 2005 T-SQL from a developer's perspective. It covers a wide range of developer-specific topics in SQL Server 2005. This book covers many newly introduced topics in depth. This book is written as a practical and useful guide to help database developers who mainly deals with T-SQL. This book is really hit the spot with appropriate .NET code at few places where needed. This book assumes a basic knowledge of SQL but it is really easy for new beginners developers to understand and advanced developers to enjoy further reading.
Detailed Summary:
One thing I really liked about this book is that it can be either read cover to cover, or it can be used as a reference guide for one particular topic. Index of this book is extremely well organized and aids to find the right topic very quickly. Books is structure is many chapters and each chapter justifies the chapters with good details and proper amount of examples.
Each chapter has excellent advice and knowledge and filled with sample code (available online). The book is targeted specifically at SQL Server 2005 and the innovative ways to code T-SQL, new functions and commands. If is very easy to get started with this book and it immerses in comprehensive reading in no time. This book addresses many details and comparisons with T-SQL in very organized way. The examples are in very accurate and useful as well sufficient to targeted topics. This book addresses many of the real world issues with examples, discussions and solutions.
This book start with providing a brief history of T-SQL and the ANSI SQL standards. SQLCMD and SQL Server Management Studio are new tools to explore SQL Server 2005 and are covered in depth in beginning of the book. Chapters which covers Common Table Expressions (CTEs), new datatypes, operators, keywords, functions, and control of flows are really interesting and with necessary explanation. Readers of my blog are very well aware of my interests in Error handling and debugging. Interesting enough for me there is one whole chapter dedicated to that. The regular T-SQL concepts which I write a lot about Stored Procedure, Triggers and Dynamic SQL each have their own chapter. One thing many T-SQL book does not cover in depth is XML, XQuery and XPath which are properly discussed and their importance is explained properly. Last three chapter of the book which covers SQLCLR, .NET Client Programming and HTTP Endpoints requires the Microsoft .NET FrameWork 2.0, as it contains some code which are written in VB and C#.
One thing which I always liked in any database book is, use of sample database AdventureWorks. I strongly believe that all the example should be independent from previous examples and should use default database. If you have not installed default database AdventureWorks, you can get its latest location by searching in my blog SQLAuthority.com. All the script of examples are available to download online. No book is free from the errors and website for this book have errata list, which is surprisingly very small.
I will list few tips from book which interested me. This will give brief idea how good this book is.
"TABLESAMPLE always returns an approximate number of rows because of the way it samples data. The required percentage is the number of data pages SQL Server retreves in full to fulfill your TABLESAMPLE request. The number of rows returned by TABLESAMPLE will often be slightly less, or greater, than the specified amount."
"Anytime you use dynamic SQL, make sure that you take precautions against SQL injection, that is, malicious SQL Code being inserted into your SQL statements. In this instance we're using the QUOTENAME function to quote the column names being dynamically generated to help avoid SQL injection problems."
Following one example really caught my eyes while reading the book. It seems Author accurately described the situation and put his suggestion regarding syntax.
"The ANSI SQL:2003 standard includes a MERGE statement that performs the same function as the upsert type of SP. The prerelease versions of SQL Server 2005 included the MERGE statement. Though it was well-publicized during the prerelease period, the MERGE statement was unceremoniously dropped from the production version. We can only hope that Microsoft brings it back sometime in the near future."
Good news is Microsoft have included the Authors request in future version of SQL Server. SQL Server 2008 CTP 4 has included MERGE Keyword.
Rating: 4 and 1/2 stars
In Summary, A book for every developer who want to take full advantage of the power of T-SQL on SQL Server 2005.
Pinal Dave
Principal Database Administrator
(blog.sqlauthority.com)Pro T-SQL 2005 Programmer's Guide (Expert's Voice) OverviewT-SQL is the fundamental language for database programming in SQL Server 2005. All professional SQL Server users need to know it and, even more important, must understand how to use it well. The language has grown considerably since SQL Server 2000 and even experienced T-SQL programmers have many new features to master. They need a convenient single source of information and advice. This book provides that, clearly and comprehensively.Both database administrators and developers will find this highly readable, detailed description of T-SQL an eye-opening and invaluable reference for as long as they work with SQL Server 2005.

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Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Stored Procedure Programming in T-SQL & .NET Review

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Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Stored Procedure Programming in T-SQL & .NET ReviewThis book contains much useful information on SQL Server 2005 T-SQL enhancements, but it regularly employs functions and constructs in its examples that are only explained in later passages. Specifically, when attempting to absorb a new concept by examining a code example, you must also contend with looking up items which have not yet been covered. This is a mild stumbling block but it hurts the flow of the book.
Also, the practice database (Asset5) did not attach properly (on my SQL Server 2005 STD edition install regarding appropriate permissions to modify objects) and the most direct workaround was: (1) To use the included, but unreferenced script to initialize the database and all its objects using a "new name" for the database (2) Attach the original database - Asset5 (3) Use the data import feature to populate the "new name" database tables (4) Drop the attached database Asset5 (5) Rename the "new name" database to Asset5. I did first attempt to modify the permissions associated with the login I was using - unsuccessfully...
By way of comparison I am using Oracle Press' "Oracle 9i The Complete Reference" by Koch and Loney as a standard of clarity and conceptual organization for PL-SQL. It is on this basis that I assign this book 3 stars, but admit that I have yet to discover a better book for advanced T-SQL topics. Please feel free to forward me better titles.
As an aside, Murach's SQL for SQL Server is the best introductory text I have found for T-SQL.
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Stored Procedure Programming in T-SQL & .NET Overview
Create and Use Stored Procedures for Optimal Database Performance

Develop complex stored procedures to retrieve, manipulate, update, and delete data. Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Stored Procedure Programming in T-SQL & .NET identifies and describes the key concepts, techniques, and best practices you need to master in order to take full advantage of stored procedures using SQL Server's native Transact-SQL and .NET CLR languages. You'll learn to incorporate effective Transact-SQL stored procedures into client or middleware code, and produce CLR methods that will be compiled into CLR stored procedures. This is a must-have resource for all SQL Server 2005 developers.

Essential Skills for Database Professionals
Group and execute T-SQL statements using batches, scripts, and transactionsCreate user-defined, system, extended, temporary, global temporary, and remote stored procedures Develop and manage stored procedures using C# and Visual Basic .NETImplement database access using ADO.NETCreate CLR user-defined functions and triggersImplement reliable debugging and error handling techniques and security measuresManage source code in a repository such as Visual SourceSafeCreate stored procedures for web search enginesUse system and extended stored procedures to interact with the SQL Server environment




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Inside Microsoft SQL Server 2005: T-SQL Programming (Solid Quality Learning) Review

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Inside Microsoft SQL Server 2005: T-SQL Programming (Solid Quality Learning) ReviewFirstly, this is not a book for beginners or those new to T-SQL, this is targetted more towards intermediate/advanced programmers. If you're new then look at T-SQL Querying.
The level of knowledge and detail that Itzik, Dejan and Roger have and portray in this book is awesome. Do you want to know how SQL Server 2005 internally stores date/time values and what the pitfalls are that you might run into when programming against date/time values (one of the most common problems facing SQL programmers), this book has the answer.
With chapters on Stores Procedures, Transactions, temporary tables, views, the service broker and more.
Each chapter has excellent advice and knowledge and filled with sample code (available online). The book is targetted specifically at SQL Server 2005 and the new ways it handles things, new functions and commands.
My only concern and a slight one at that is that with the amount of information the authors are trying to portray in 500 pages, sometimes the reading is heavy.
An invaluable book for SQL Server 2005 programmers.Inside Microsoft SQL Server 2005: T-SQL Programming (Solid Quality Learning) Overview
Get a detailed look at the internal architecture of T-SQL with this comprehensive programming reference. Database developers and administrators get best practices, expert techniques, and code samples to master the intricacies of the programming language—solving complex problems with real-world solutions.

Discover how to:

Understand when to apply set-based programming techniques
Design and implement date and time-related XML and CLR datatypes
Use temporary objects, including temporary tables, table variables, and table expressions
Work with T-SQL and CLR user-defined functions, stored procedures, and triggers
Support user input-based queries and variable data with dynamic execution
Work with transactions and new exception handling constructs
Apply a concurrency model to support simultaneous users
Use Service Broker for controlled asynchronous processing in database applications This book includes code samples on the Web.


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