Customer Reviews

MCSE/MCSD Training Guide: SQL Server 7 Database Design with CDROM (MCSE Training Guide)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I definitely agree with the previous reviewer on at least two counts -- #70-029 is possibly the hardest MS exam yet AND this book - and probably any single other book - will not totally prepare you to pass the exam. I passed using this book, the MS training kit, a fair amount of studying (hands on with the product + books online) and only a few months of SQL Server 6.5/7 experience.

However, this book does do a very good job of covering the topics from the MS exam prep guideline in as much detail as can be expected in a test prep book. The book also then cites other resources such as Books Online where additional information may be found. Don't take that advice lightly - you will need additional information on all subjects.

Like studying for most exams, it is best to use this book in combination with at least one more. This one was the first exam 70-029 prep guide out, but I dare say that there may not be a better one even when they are all out. The sample exams and other study aids are good at helping you learn the concepts, even if they are far more simple than the actual exam questions. The book/CD definitely is worth the $.

Like a visit to the Wizard of Oz, every exam candidate sees a different 70-029 exam. The main thrust of my 3 hour exam was (pretend there is no SQL 7 Server GUI) recognizing how various tasks and procedures are accomplished in T-SQL, and their uses and consequences. This is in sharp contrast to 70-028, which tests your facility with the GUI. And there are data structures to interpret, and maybe some ugly BCP and more practical DTS questions.

Besch, et al. do a good job of focusing on T-SQL approaches, while mentioning the alternative GUI tools. I found the text comfortable and readable. Their treatments of data modeling and creating physical storage are excellent. Physical design is a little tougher reading, but the material is covered fairly well. The chapter on indexing is comprehensive, except for the discussion of Full-Text searches.

While the BCP (Bulk Copy Program) is a powerful, but horrid thing to learn and use, with its dozens of optional parameters and flags, the book's explanation of it is about as lucid as you are likely to find. It will make you grateful for the new DTS (the GUI Data Transformation Services), which is not covered in sufficient detail, though just as likely to show up on the exam.

The several chapters on structures of the SQL language cover a vast amount of territory, and cover it fairly well. Database maintenance is addressed in a cursory way.

WEAKNESSES: The SQL language chapters (and some other areas) rely too heavily on formal syntax diagrams -- the kind that show all the possible choices of required and optional parameters of a given statement. While these are great for future reference, they make some pretty difficult reading when you are first learning SLQ. You'll have to expend some calories to translate the diagrams into reality. In some areas the subsequent examples provide adequate clarification. In others, the reader is left with the vague malaise of fuzzy theory. Replication and security are significantly slighted. The details of the workings of DTS are inadequate. The "Review Questions" (different from the "Exam Questions") often expect knowledge that has not yet been (and sometimes never will be) covered. But the info is usually useful in the answers provided.

The examples contrasting Full-Text predicates vs Full-Text functions are not sufficient. The important series of steps required to set up and use Full-Text search are left unclear. A numbered list of essential steps would have been useful.

Coverage of optimization of execution plans and Server Profiler is only marginally adequate.

IF YOU ARE NEW to SQL Server, the condensed nature of any exam book will leave gaps in your understanding. I would strongly encourage you to read a second, smaller book, like Exam Cram, after completing this one. It will clarify the fuzzy spots and provide a different perspective on the material. Regardless, you will need to take notes and maybe do some flash cards (home made) to congeal all the knowledge. But take heart in the certainty that you'll be able to apply much of the data structure knowledge to exam 70-100 (Solutions Architectures).

STRENGTHS: In addition to the good things mentioned above, the Fast Facts final review chapter is wonderful. The end of chapter exam questions do a good (though slightly buggy) job of reviewing the types of information that will be tested, though the format is not quite right.

CONCLUSION: Despite its shortcomings, I really liked this book. Consider a "small" book as an adjunct. Take notes. Look up fuzzy syntax in the Books On Line. And, by all means, run the SQL exercises in Query Analyzer.

MCDBA Certification was a long 11-Week Study Journey. This book was a companion on half the trip. It's well written and easy to follow. The examples and questions very good and in some respect did prepare me partially for the real test. The real test is Long, Demanding and requires very solid knowledge of Database Design and Normalizing. SQL's Books on line is also a valuable companion the helps supplement and take the reader through that extra step needed to pass the test with a good score. It's missing some needed details on a topic or two like DBCC SHOWCONTIG and Index covering, and solid examples on Transactions. I had to supplement that with Exam Cram Book. I Do recommend this Book but not as the only guide.

This book touches on all the 70-29 guideline requirements in a very organized fashion. The layout of the book was excellent, including objective explanations, section outlines, study strategies, fast facts, and helpful exam taking tips. Unfortunately, not all topics were covered in the depth really required to pass 70-29 (with exception of the 'Database Design' section, which was great).

I found the training guide CD that accompanied this book to be an essential resource. Although the questions are not quite as difficult as the ones you'll encounter on 70-29, you will certainly become more comfortable with the testing interface and generally more aware of the scope of each testing section. You can select from exam simulations, study cards, and flash cards to help tailor to your own personal study needs.

As others have already mentioned, 70-29 cannot be passed by studying a single material. This book does cover alot of the material, but should not be considered your prime study material. I would recommend the MicrosoftPress "SQL Server 7.0 Database Implementation Training Kit" to obtain your balk of 70-29 knowledge. Researching SQL 7.0 white papers is helpful as well.

The material is well based around the Microsoft requirements, however the examples are skimpy and don't reflect the difficulty of the actual exam. You need to do lots and lots of programming examples to be adequately prepared for this one.

This is a very good introductory book about SQL 7.0. The first chapter gives an excellent tutorial on relational database design. However, if you are planning on using this book as your sole means for passing the 70-029 test, think again. This is probably one of the three hardest tests Microsoft has, and this book won't cut it for passing the test. But, you really won't find any book that will help you pass the test by itself. I recommend using this book along with Transcender and BOL, and you should pass the test with no problem. I did.

I took the exam 70-029 today. It is the toughtest Microsoft exam I have ever taken. (I have passed three MCP exams). This book-in fact- no book covers the depth of knowledge required to pass the exam. This book touches the subjects briefly only, a very shallow coverage. To pass the exam, you need to buy 'Inside Sql Server 7.0', 'Handbook of Relational Database Design by Candance Fleming & Barbara von Halle,' and this book or Microsoft Training guide.Don't just skim through the pages, have a thorough understanding of the concepts.

I just passed 70-029 today (my first MCSE exam!) and this book was my primary study guide. It has your standard amount of errors for a tech book, perhaps a little more. Despite the errors I fount it a good guide for directing my study. The practice exams where NOTHING like the real exam: my exam was 150 minutes for 49 questions and the practice exams where all 60 questions in 90 minutes. The real exam was more difficult with a reduced passing level (i.e. the questions were harder but you didnt have to get as many right). Most of the questions were extremely lengthy. This book didnt cover the SQL Server Agent yet I had about 3 questions about it on the exam. The book helped but I definitely needed another book to suplement.

I used this book and Books on Line for reference purpose from time to time. Passed the test a couple of days ago with score 877. The exam is a little harder compared to other MCSE exam with 5 or 6 long scenario questions. Overall the book is good, but I agree with other earlier reviewers that the book can not stand alone for the exam.

This book covers the important areas of the exam and is certainly worth purchasing as a study aid - however rely more on plenty of hands on experience to pass. The tests within the book and on the CD-Rom were OK but don't expect them to strongly resemble the actual exam. They also contain a number of errors.