Customer Reviews

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

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This 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.

I have been querying SQL Server databases for six years using .Net. This book took me inside SQL Server and showed me how to manage tables, relations, stored proceedures, indexes and triggers.

The book achieves great mix of instruction and best practices. At times, I found myself wanting to know more but the book is already over 400 pages.

Being self-taught in SQL Server, I need to rely on books and online help. This book is always on my desk. Many of the books I refer to are good for table set up and execution of queries. This book covers so much more.
This book covers installation and installation issues, Command Line Tools, Security and Permissions, Visual Web Developer and more. What I like about this book is that the author is speaking to a beginner, not someone who dreams of stored procedures but someone just learning the ropes.
I highly recommend this book to someone just starting out. This is an excellent reference book that is easy for a beginner to understand.

The instructor for this class stated, "the book is very easy to understand and covers all the basic features of SQL Server administration and basic SQL programming."