MCAD/MCSE/MCDBA Self-Paced Training Kit: Microsoft® SQL Server(TM) 2000 Database Design and Implementation, Exam 70-229, Second Edition (Pro-Certification) [Hardcover]

Microsoft Corporation (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0735619603 | ISBN-13: 978-0735619609 | Publication Date: June 4, 2003 | Edition: 2nd

Learn how to deliver powerful database solutions using SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition—and prepare for the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) exam—with this official Microsoft study guide. Work at your own pace through the lessons and hands-on exercises. And use the special exam-prep section and testing tool to measure what you know and where to focus your studies—before taking the actual exam. As you build the real-world expertise for designing data-driven business solutions, you’re also preparing for MCP Exam 70-229—a core exam for MCDBA certification and a key elective on the MCSE, MCAD, and MCSD tracks.

Build the skills to:

• Develop a logical data model
• Create databases—files, objects, space management, and growth strategy
• Use Transact-SQL and Data Transformation Services (DTS) to manipulate data; extract data in XML format
• Program business logic using stored procedures, transactions, triggers, user-defined functions, and views
• Optimize database performance by using SQL Profiler and the Index Tuning Wizard * Design a security plan—data access, object-level security, and application roles

Ready for the exam? Take practice tests on the CD.

Your kit includes:

• Comprehensive self-paced study guide that maps to MCP exam goals and objectives
• NEW—Test-readiness tool that generates timed, 50-question practice exams with automated scoring
• NEW—More than 200 pages of exam prep and objective-by-objective review
• Learn-by-doing exercises for skills you can apply to the job
• 120-day evaluation version of SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition
• Fully searchable eBook

A Note Regarding the CD or DVD

The print version of this book ships with a CD or DVD. For those customers purchasing one of the digital formats in which this book is available, we are pleased to offer the CD/DVD content as a free download via O'Reilly Media's Digital Distribution services. To download this content, please visit O'Reilly's web site, search for the title of this book to find its catalog page, and click on the link below the cover image (Examples, Companion Content, or Practice Files). Note that while we provide as much of the media content as we are able via free download, we are sometimes limited by licensing restrictions. Please direct any questions or concerns to [e-mail].

Product Details

• Hardcover: 880 pages
• Publisher: Microsoft Press; 2nd edition (June 4, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735619603
• ISBN-13: 978-0735619609
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.6 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,062,377 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars More of a course on SQL than an exam prep guide..., February 19, 2005

By 

Christopher Morris - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: MCAD/MCSE/MCDBA Self-Paced Training Kit: Microsoft® SQL Server(TM) 2000 Database Design and Implementation, Exam 70-229, Second Edition (Pro-Certification) (Hardcover)

I used this book with the intention of passing Microsoft's 70-229 exam. Although I took the exam yesterday and passed, it was not due to the material in this book as much as it was taking practice exams.

As I read this book, all I could think is that it was a review of what I already knew. I have been a software developer using SQL for over 10 years now and I was a bit worried that this book wasn't giving me the information I needed to pass the exam. I got a great refresher of SQL DDL and DML commands and even learned a few things I didn't know. I learned a little about how SQL Server works specifically.

It wasn't until I finished reading the book and began taking the Transcender practice exams that I began to realize what I would be in store for on the actual exam. The Transcender practice exams were a very accurate simulation as to how the actual exam would look, I would recommend them to anyone. As a matter of fact, some of the Transcender exam questions looked very similar to ones I saw on the real exam. I did not take the practice test in the text of the book or on the supplied CD, so I cannot comment on their quality. From my experience, the exams offered for free in books are not very good.

This book would be a lot better if it modeled the exam a bit more. The exam likes to present a situation and ask what you should do to solve a particular problem. For instance, a example Security question on the exam goes something like this:

"John creates a table and you create a view on that table. Neither of you belong to the sysadmin role. The users in the sales department try using the view and they report that they cannot access the information they need. What should you do?"

I would have liked the book more if it presented examples like this to illustrate the information presented. As a matter of fact, this book reminds me of an information dump. Like most Microsoft exam study guides I have read in the past, they simply back up the information truck and dump the load onto you. You are responsible for figuring out how to apply that knowledge. But guess what? The exam test you on applying that knowledge.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Sales book, not good for certification, June 8, 2004

By 

Jason Folkens (Dewitt, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: MCAD/MCSE/MCDBA Self-Paced Training Kit: Microsoft® SQL Server(TM) 2000 Database Design and Implementation, Exam 70-229, Second Edition (Pro-Certification) (Hardcover)

I bought this book, thinking I would get certified.

I spent 2 months reading the pages, and doing the exercises.

Then I went to take the exam... Failed 3 times before I actually threw the book away and searched for another training source. And I'm not a dufus; I've passed many certification exams in the past.

This book contains SOME quality information, but if your goal is to get certified, just read Books On Line and totally disreguard the existance of this book.

Its common knowledge that the goal of MS certification tests is to test your ability to transform working knowledge of a product into real world application, and for that reason, an effective training source should simulate that real world expierence. This book fails to do this.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 70-229 SQL 2k Design and Implementation, February 5, 2004

By 

Joe Coats, Ph.D. "JC" (Waldorf, MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: MCAD/MCSE/MCDBA Self-Paced Training Kit: Microsoft® SQL Server(TM) 2000 Database Design and Implementation, Exam 70-229, Second Edition (Pro-Certification) (Hardcover)

I was not pleased with the contents of this book in terms of sloppy editing and in the paltry treatment of important topics. Those of us in pursuit of the MCP or MCDBA will have to augment this book and what we take from this book with other more complex books dealing with design and implementation. Do be prepared to purchase additional books on T-SQL programming and do be prepared to purchase real exam prep software.