Customer Reviews

Beginning Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Programming (Wrox Programmer to Programmer)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a great beginner's book on T-SQL programming. I like the Author's writing style and comprehensive coverage of all the topics including Reporting, XML, Integration Services, UDFs, and even some Administration tasks. The stored procedure chapter could have been made into two chapters. Also, I was surprised why more examples were not given for the Try/Catch error. Similarly, there was not much to go with the SSIS. Looks like most of the typos in the book were removed since the 2005 publication. Overall, a great book to get one started.

The author has a lot of great information and shows great restraint in not overwhelming the reader with his obviously advanced knowledge of the subject. He is able to convey the wisdom of his experience to the reader while giving them a great beginning foundation. Now that we have access to YouTube and the like this information should be repackaged and presented via video lessons as an alternative delivery method. Great content. Good Beginners' Book. Definitely recommend for beginning SQL developers.

I had to get this book for a college course and its a great step by step learning book. Its also nice that it isn't that expensive compared to some alternatives.

I am a novice SQL user. I'm through chapter 4..it's understandable.
Part 2 of the class is 8 hours. I should be able to continue with the book on my own after class is finished.

No one will remember tech books as great literature. They're a vast linguistic junk yard, yes, but at least one with a purpose. Although most teachers would flinch until their undies imploded at the thought, one can learn something from even a poorly written book. And look no further for bad writing than tech books. Their rush to market eagerness and probable demographic presumptions likely explain their often appalling syntax and spelling. Of course no one wants to read sloppy prose in any genre, but who really reads tech books for their literary qualities? If such a person exists, a slobbering impresario with a reality show contract likely awaits. The ultimate test for tech books remains utility. Can one read a given book and then produce something decent? If yes, then something of value exists.

Wrox books possess enough bulk to function as doorstops or bridge struts, definitely. And often the author/programmers' grinning or deadpan faces glaring in not extremely appealing black, white and red contrast don't inspire aesthetic spasms. Nonetheless, what they lack in artistic merits they often make up for in technical knowledge. "Beginning Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Programming" stands as one Wrox book that, for the most part, delivers. Anyone who has found themselves thrown head first into database programming can easily osmose the basics from this tome. It takes a while to read, but the investment pays off in depth of knowledge. Working with databases on any professional level would prove difficult without mastering this book's first twelve chapters. Go ahead and try, but have your resume ready. And though some software developers, particularly of the .NET variety, may now rest content with LINQ, knowledge of SQL and database technology would only enhance their skill sets. This book provides just the right background for such people.

Though the book contains some rough spots, coverage of the main points of T-SQL remains more than adequate. From SELECT, JOIN, CREATE, ALTER, CONSTRAINT, to normalization, views, stored procedures, user defined functions and triggers, this book will help anyone whose boss suddenly orders them in front of SQL Management Studio. Though more coverage of cursors would help beginners who find themselves faced with these monstrosities. And the trigger chapter leaves those murky and dangerous objects, which lurk like methane bubbles beneath cracking ice, still mysterious. The book's final sections provide previews of the "SQL Stack," which includes Integration Services (SSIS), Reporting Services (SSRS) and a dabbling of Database Administration. These provide only a meager tease. Larger books than this one exist on SSIS alone. Once again, this book requires a time investment. An installation of the SQL Server 2008 client also helps (other books cover the server side). But, like any investment, it can pay off when study integrates with practice.

Computer books are thrown together so carelessly these days. Look at the table of contents for Chapter 8. Almost all of its topics are to be found on page 260... and page 260 barely has any text! I'm astonished at how pitiful the quality control is on this junk!

Although the book is good, the author uses everyday language frequently, which hinders the understanding of readers from countries where English is not spoken as a native language. Also, it ignores the process and the prerequisites for installation.

This book was purchased in hard copy even though I have access to an Ecopy. It is the exact as we aqre using in class and just as advertised. No torn pages, no markings. I would definitely buy from this seller again.