Analyzing Requirements and Defining Solution Architectures MCSD Training Kit (MCSD Training Guide) [Paperback]

Microsoft Corporation (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1999 | Series: MCSD Training Guide

This Microsoft Official Curriculum training kit delivers comprehensive preparation for MCP Exam 70-100 -- a core exam on the Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) track and the only exam every MCSD candidate must pass, no matter which track (Visual Basic or Visual C++) they choose. Through a self-paced system of scenario-based lessons and hands-on labs, students learn how to analyze business requirements for a software development project and select the appropriate development tools and platforms. Featuring authoritative coverage of the Microsoft Solutions Foundation strategy, this course helps build competency in six critical skill areas defined by the MCSD program analyzing requirements for performance, security, maintainability, and extensibility; defining technical architecture; developing the conceptual and logical design; creating data models; designing a user interface and user services; and deriving the physical design.

Product Details

• Paperback: 700 pages
• Publisher: Microsoft Press (October 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735608547
• ISBN-13: 978-0735608542
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.6 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,680,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Review warnings were right on target, July 6, 2000

By 

William A. Jackson (Van Nuys, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Analyzing Requirements and Defining Solution Architectures MCSD Training Kit (MCSD Training Guide) (Paperback)

Before buying this book I did read the customer reviews, many of which warned that this book was not worthwhile as preparation for Exam 70-100. I was skeptical of the reviews. After all, the book is so big and so official and described by Microsoft as a Training Kit for Exam 70-100. Now that I have taken (and passed) the exam, I realize that I should have listened to the other customer reviewers and not to Microsoft. Although reading this book will do you no harm, it is essentially worthless as preparation for Exam 70-100. The central focus of the book is the Microsoft Solutions Framework (MSF). The exam did not have a single question about MSF. The practice exam on the CD which came with the book is a joke - only 25 questions and none of them in the case study format which dominates Exam 70-100. I would recommend the Transcender practice exams - they are very much like the real test. My last tip is brush up on database design. That's what Exam 70-100 is mostly about.

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book + Exam cram + Transcender, March 14, 2000

By A Customer

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This review is from: Analyzing Requirements and Defining Solution Architectures MCSD Training Kit (MCSD Training Guide) (Paperback)

Just passed this exam with a good score. I have read/looked through almost all existing books for 70-100. Two books really help: this one and exam cram. This book covers a lot of theory and extra information but answers many questions like web authentication, security, etc. Exam cram just has similar questions with the real exam (especially those little pieces of text marked as "Tips" and "Alert"). And, of course, Transcender is a MUST! Several cases there are almost identical to the cases in a real exam. Just a little simpler than the real ones. Following note is just my opinion: around 70% of exam is about database (tables, relations, primary/foreign keys, attributes, normalization, etc.) Without good experience in it no one book will help to pass the exam.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book - but don't rely on it for the test, October 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Analyzing Requirements and Defining Solution Architectures MCSD Training Kit (MCSD Training Guide) (Paperback)

This is an excellent book for many reasons. It is well thought out and provides rich content. The ongoing case scenario is a great tool to contextualize the material presented. The information is volumous and the CD allows for quick access to the entire book. The book defines a track and stays on track. This is good book to read through and then put on the shelf for reference. You will be picking it up often, even if you are an experienced solutions designer. The book has one negative feature. It offers little for taking the actual exam. You can download a demo of the exam from Microsoft's web site to get a feel for the questions. In reality, no book is going to teach you how to prepare for the exam. Honing your mind to analyze, see differences and similarities, and define relationships is essential. Experience and hard work, practicing these concepts, are required for the exam. My list of additional reference books has included "Instant UML" (gets you thinking in a good way), "Applying Use Cases" (helps to specify user and system requirements), and "Handbook of Relational Database Design" (Relational is the key word here). If you think you are ready but not quite sure, try the Transcender Solution Cert 3.0. This will bring everything together and will likely humble you at the same time. But it's a long test, I doubt you want to sit through it more than once.