MCTS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Implementation and Maintenance Study Guide: Exam 70-431 [Paperback]

Joseph L. Jorden (Author), Dandy Weyn (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0470025654 | ISBN-13: 978-0470025659 | Publication Date: July 19, 2006

With the release of SQL Server 2005, Microsoft is introducing a new multi-exam certification program. The Microsoft SQL Server 2005

Implementation and Maintenance exam (70-431) is the first stop for everyone entering this new certification track, and serves as both a single exam certification as well as the entry exam for the MCITP-level certifications. This book provides an introduction to the development and administrative aspects of SQL Server 2005 and features practical guidance for all aspects of the exam.

Get a great start in your certification process today with this comprehensive guide which includes:

• Hundreds of challenging practice questions plus two bonus exams
• Leading-edge exam preparation software, including a test engine

Authoritative coverage of all key exam objectives, including:

• Installing and Configuring SQL Server 2005
• Implementing High Availability and Disaster Recovery
• Supporting Data Consumers
• Maintaining Databases
• Monitoring and Troubleshooting SQL Server Performance
• Creating and Implementing Database Objects

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

With the release of SQL Server 2005, Microsoft is introducing a new multi-exam certification program. The Microsoft SQL Server 2005

Implementation and Maintenance exam (70-431) is the first stop for everyone entering this new certification track, and serves as both a single exam certification as well as the entry exam for the MCITP-level certifications. This book provides an introduction to the development and administrative aspects of SQL Server 2005 and features practical guidance for all aspects of the exam.

Get a great start in your certification process today with this comprehensive guide which includes:

• Hundreds of challenging practice questions plus two bonus exams
• Leading-edge exam preparation software, including a test engine

Authoritative coverage of all key exam objectives, including:

• Installing and Configuring SQL Server 2005
• Implementing High Availability and Disaster Recovery
• Supporting Data Consumers
• Maintaining Databases
• Monitoring and Troubleshooting SQL Server Performance
• Creating and Implementing Database Objects

About the Author

Joseph L. Jorden, MCTS, MCSE, has been administering and developing databases for the last twelve years. Currently he is the Lead Developer for the Jelly Belly Candy Company.

Dandy Weyn, MCTS, MCSE, MCSA, MCDBA, MCDST, MCITP, is an independent SQL Server technologist based in Belgium, who delivers training and consultancy all over the world. He is a frequent speaker at Microsoft seminars and has more than ten years experience with relational databases in enterprise environments.

Product Details

• Paperback: 634 pages
• Publisher: Sybex (July 19, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470025654
• ISBN-13: 978-0470025659
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,197,900 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A reasonable effort - more than just exam prep., June 13, 2007

By 

Matthew Bryde (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: MCTS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Implementation and Maintenance Study Guide: Exam 70-431 (Paperback)

This book's intention is to prepare the reader as best as it can to pass the Microsoft 70-431 exam. It covers all the relevant topics and appears to be a great resource in doing so. However, I have a few concerns.

First the positives: The book is well balanced with theory followed by practical exercises. Each chapter ends with a summary of what was just covered, what level of knowledge is expected for the exam followed by 20 sample test questions. The practical exercises are valuable in that they familiarise the reader with HOW to accomplish the objective hands on using SQL tools. After completing this book my knowledge of SQL Server 2005 increased dramatically.

Now the negatives. This book is meant to help prepare for an exam. It introduces the material to be examined on in the chapter body but when it comes to the test questions at the end of each chapter, often the questions test knowledge not covered in the book. This really defeats the purpose of what this book is meant for. Either the chapters need more material or the test questions go beyond what is required in the actual exam.

Having just completed the exam, I found the material covered in this book goes well beyond what the exam covers. e.g. I spent time memorizing how to calculate the size of a table and there was nothing in the exam on this. As someone preparing for the exam, this was a waste of my time. As a DBA - it was valuable. So it depends on why you purchase this book as to how good it is. If they removed all references to the 70-431 exam, this book would be a good general resource.

Further negatives: The book could also do with an editor to correct repetitive paragraphs. There are also cases where the answers to the end of chapter questions are incorrect. The explanation is correct, but the ABCD choice given is obviously a typo. This could lead an unsuspecting reader to assume the wrong answer in their learning.

Other than the problems highlighted, the book overall delivers a good effort in exposing the reader to the topics required to be learnt in order to pass the exam. I found the positives outweighed the negatives. I consider it to be a worthwhile resource for anyone preparing for this certification. But know upfront it contains errors, and a LOT of material not required for this exam - making this a less than perfect or ideal resource to study exclusively.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Needs expert peer review, December 6, 2006

By 

Reginald C. Besselling "RegBes" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: MCTS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Implementation and Maintenance Study Guide: Exam 70-431 (Paperback)

Be carefull relying on only this book for studying, I have found errors both factual and typing in mainly (but not limited to) the Review Questions sections.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good practice questions, sloppy proofreading, January 27, 2007

By 

MaxConcrete (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: MCTS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Implementation and Maintenance Study Guide: Exam 70-431 (Paperback)

I'm about two-thirds of the way through this book. Especially in the early chapters there were numerous and frequent typesetting errors/typos, including in the practice questions. This was annoying. The practice questions tend to be challenging so they really help you dig in and learn the material.

I have found that the basic instructive text does not provide answers to all the practice questions in the book (most questions are covered in the book, but not all). You will need a supplementary reference like the SQL Server online books. As you reach some of the more difficult material, such as the service broker, the text seems to move quickly over a lot of material. Combining this book with SQL Server Books Online or another reference seems to be the best.

Overall I would say this book is better than average. But I have not compared it to other offerings and I have not taken the certification exam.