Microsoft® SQL Server(TM) 2005 Reporting Services Step by Step (Step by Step (Microsoft)) (Paperback)

by Stacia Misner (Author), Hitachi Consulting (Author) "Since you're reading this book, it's likely that you work for a company that needs to be able to share information..." (more)
Key Phrases: report server database, rsconfig utility, table data region, Report Builder, Microsoft Press, Solution Explorer (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Your hands-on guide to learning Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services, Microsoft’s customizable reporting solution for business data analysis. Reporting Services is a powerful tool for business intelligence, so an understanding of the essentials—how to architect a report, as well as how to install and program Reporting Services—is key to harnessing the full benefits of SQL Server. This step-by-step tutorial shows you how to get started, how to use the report project wizard, how to think about and access data, and how to build queries. It also walks you through the creation of charts and visual layouts to enable maximum visual understanding of the data analysis. Interactivity features (enhanced in SQL Server 2005) and security are also covered in detail. With STEP BY STEP, you work at your own pace through hands-on, learn-by-doing exercises. Whether you’re a beginning programmer or new to this version of the technology, you’ll understand the fundamental techniques for using Reporting Services. A companion CD includes data sets and sample code.

From the Publisher
The popular STEP BY STEP approach provides hands-on guidance to beginning-level and new-to-SQL Server 2005 programmers. A sequential, learn-by-doing tutorial, this book covers key features and techniques of Reporting Services to help programmers harness the full power of SQL Server 2005. The enclosed CD includes data sets and sample code.

Key Book Benefits:

-Delivers step-by-step instruction about how to install, enable, envision, create, and share reports based on SQL Server 2005 data stores.

-Provides hands-on exercises that develop proficiency quickly—based on data stores and examples provided on the enclosed CD.

-Features expertise from Hitachi Consulting, which creates specialized SQL Server-based data solutions for corporate customers.

-STEP BY STEP is ideal for anyone with a basic understanding of SQL Server.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Microsoft Press (May 24, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735622507
• ISBN-13: 978-0735622500
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #244,294 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Needs technical review but has a ton of information., July 21, 2006

By	Mark - See all my reviews

I found the book extremely useful in getting me pointed in the right direction with Reporting Services. I used the book less as a technical reference and more as an overview of how Reporting Services works and what options are available for solving reporting problems in SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS).

I agree with the other reviewers that the book needs additional technical editing. For example, in Chapter 9 Stacia states that the rs.exe utility can be used with C# and that sample scripts are installed with SQL Server 2005. I have not seen a reference anywhere else on the web that states rs.exe can be used with C# and after installing SQL Server 2005 multiple times with every sample database I could find I did not get any sample scripts in the location specified.

If you use the book for an overview of SSRS you will gain many insights into how Reporting Services works but for the detailed technical details I would recommend the MSDN books.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars What a waste!, May 15, 2008

By	Michael S. Harris "Rev. Mike" (Memphis, TN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I purchased the book well over a year ago and placed it in my library for future reference. Now that I finally need it to dig into SSRS further, I'm truly disappointed. Besides the well documented script to load the databases not working, I've found plenty of instances where I found myself truly lost in the "Step by Step". I really had to go back time after time to see if I missed something. Low and behold, I didn't miss a thing. This was an extreme waste of valuable time away from projects. What the book is missing is a really good technical review. Long story short, placed this one on the shelf and ordered Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services 2005 by Brian Larson. Now I'm beginning to wonder about my SSAS Step by Step now. Then again, I'll just save my self valuable time and pick up another SSAS anyway. Hope this helps!

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Typical poor quality MS Step-By-Step, August 5, 2007

By	B. Owczarzak - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I agree with the other reviewer that had trouble installing the sample files: there's no excuse that Microsoft Press should have let this book out the door without some basic technical review. In order to successfully install the files, you must manually edit the attach_databases.sql file to map the @physname paths to the .mdf files stored in your My Documents folder rather than c:\rs2005sbs (which is never created by the installer). For the intended audience of this book, that's an unnecessary hastle that the use user should have to go through.