Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 Unleashed [Paperback]

David S. Solomon (Author), Ray Rankins (Author)

Book Description

Series: Unleashed | Publication Date: October 1, 1996

A tutorial and reference guide which centres on Microsoft SQL Server 6.5. The book has two aims: to teach the reader how to develop systems with the software; and how to design, plan set-up, administer, and tune both large and small databases. A CD-ROM is inlcuded with the book.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This comprehensive reference details the steps needed to plan, design, install, administer, and tune large and small databases. In many cases, the reader will use the techniques in this tome to create and manage their own complex environment. - Covers programming topics, including SQL, data structures, programming constructs, stored procedures, referential integrity, large table strategies, and more

- Includes updates to cover all new features of SQL Server 6.5 including the new transaction processing monitor and Internet / database connectivity through SQL Server's new Web Wizard

- CD-ROM includes source code, libraries, and administration tools

Product Details

• Paperback: 1216 pages
• Publisher: Sams Publishing; 2nd edition (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0672309564
• ISBN-13: 978-0672309564
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,105,043 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HANDS DOWN WINNER, July 30, 1999

By 

"patience_lad" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 Unleashed (Paperback)

I have read 4 SQL Server 6.5 books to get up to speed for the MCSE exams. This is clearly the most thorough and well written. Deserves 5 stars overall. Here are my picks for SQL Server 6.5 books. 1) SQL Server Unleashed, 2) SQL Server DBA Survival Guide (btw you can download this at www.mcp.com), 3) Inside SQL Server (Soukup), then finally 4) SQL Server Programming Unleashed (I thought this one was not as good for DBA, and was pretty mediocre for a programming book.)

Not only is this an excellent SQL Server book, but it is one of the best technical books I've read on a subject.

I usually scour the review section at Amazon before making book purchases to avoid wasting time. Hope this helps you on your road to DBA-dom.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars CD-ROM missing files to install the Bigpubs database!!!!!!, November 20, 1998

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 Unleashed (Paperback)

While I will not disagree with the comments of other reviews I have given the rating of one star because you can not even begin to use the DB on the CD of you are already not proficient at SQL Server. Here is what I have found wrong and what I did to fix it.

First Sams does not have any fixes posted at its web site for this book. Shame on Sams!

2nd: pages 6 & 7 of the book use the command line to install the database which is ok but Sql Server 6.5 is GUI. The instructions/commands given did install the db structure but would not let the data be put in via bcp commands. Database was locked because it was loading; loading what?? Also the log file is put in the data file. This is a huge no no. The log file should be seperate so you can recover the DB. Once I did that I could move data to the DB from the Bcp command line.

3rd: the pubdata.dmp file is missing so you cannot install the bigpubs database off the CD. You must copy the pubs database to bigpubs to obtain the table structure. This must be done before using the bcp command line.

4th: the names of the tables in pubs do not align with the names in bigpubs so when using the bcp command line you need to be aware of this. The cd uses the 8.3 format.

5th: the sales file has 168725 rows which is ridiculously large. It files the log files (at 168000, just 725 rows short) and aborts the install of the sales file. Finally did the following to get the sales data into the sales table:

bcp bigpubs..sales in sales.bcp -Usa -p -c -b1000

This forces commitment at every 1,000 rows so the darn thing will work. It won't file the log files either!!!!

6th: the note on page 7 refers to pubdata.bmp!! A bitmap?? Think what it should have been .dmp. Anyway the dmp file is NO Where on the CD.

7th: the book doesn't have a rating on the back cover for novice, beginner, intermediate, etc. If you are a beginner you probably did not understand the fixes I did. You may still obtain a lot out of the book but pages 6 & 7 will prove difficult. Hopefully you will have access to someone who can assist you with the above.

Sams usually does a better job than this. Since the book has been out since May of 98 it is inexcusable that there are not any fixes posted to the Sams web site for this problem.

I have emailed Sams and asked them to review this so they can get the fixes on their web site.

Regards and Best Wishes to all.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Covered a range of topics but with many mistakes, June 7, 2000

By 

Heather O. Levesque "Heather" (Tennessee) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 Unleashed (Paperback)

This was a great book because it covered a range of topics that in many other books I read were ignored. However there were many typos and mistakes in the code. All in all worth buying, it helped me a great deal with preparing for my certification.