Customer Reviews

Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Bible with CD-ROM

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

SQL Server 2000 Bible is a great book for a developer. I've been a SQL Server developer since 6.5 and, while I can't speak to the admin side this, this is the book that has the level of depth and detail to keep me interested - over 10,000 lines of code, not filled with foolish filler screen shots, and great developer ideas that other books don't even touch.

There's another review that says this book doesn't have enough depth, and in another review, the same reviewer praises The Guru's Guide to T-SQL for it's depth. But, the sample code listed in the Guru's Guide review IS IN SQL Server 2000 Bible on p.384. The Guru's Guide is a good book, but SQL Server 2000 Bible has T-SQL development details and ideas not mentioned in any other SQL book that I've found. The book has 60+ pages on joins and subqueries with techniques and ideas I've never heard of. The advenced T-SQL chapter alone is worth the price of the book. If you're a SQL Server developer, you need this book.

This is a brilliant book, easy to assimilate and quick to progress through.
If you are new to SQL it tells you all the background you need to know, if you have done any programming previously you will find it easy to use and really informative. My copy has post-it-notes sticking out of the top with useful hints written on them. It has really enthused me.
It has great sections for the DBA too, tips on improving performance and security etc.
Truly Fabulous, I love it!

This is a great book. It's throughout and easy to read. Every time I've turned to it, it has the information I need.

Unfortunately, it is plagued by a poor index. Even the most basic SQL is missing from the index. For example, if you are interested in the TOP clause, you won't find it between "tools, developer" and "torn-page detection". Instead you need to look under "Select statement, rows, return few (top keyword)".

With a better index, this book would be more than a great learning tool, but a great reference tool too.

Initially, I should indicate that this book does offer much of value and many insights for database developers. Many of the points made by the author are ones that can be exploited by developers and should be in one's mind as the database is planned. However, overall, I was disappointed by the book. Having a background in database systems but not in SQL Server, I sought to learn the latter. Instead what I got was a book that attempts to be a comprehensive "bible" of database concepts rather than a thorough treatment of SQL Server specifically. It was as though the book utilized SQL Server as a means to explain database concepts more than as examples of how one operates within the SQL Server environment. I also found it frustrating at times when syntax or concepts were used in the book without prior explanation or definition. I thought that a "bible" would be comprehensive but instead the author uses his favorite examples or commands as a means of demonstrating SQL and database development. This is a useful book, but if you're looking to understand the full range of SQL Server capabilities and clear delineation of syntax, a different book might serve you better.

When it comes to building databases, this book organizes chapters into an easy-to-follow logical sequence. Nielsen offers something for everyone in this book by taking you from modeling a logical database design, to implemtation, to performance tuning. He provides easy-to-follow examples all throughout the book. Personally, I found his "Best Practice" opinions and suggestions priceless!

The content of SQL Server 2000 Bible is expertly written and presented. Author Paul Nielsen is completely deserving of the kudos he's getting on these pages. I find there are examples of everything I'm looking for buried somewhere in this book.

The operative word being 'buried.' There's the rub. My only complaint about the book is something the author had no control over: the quality of the index. In these types of reference books, you're completely dependent on the index to lead you to the proper place in the book. I find my hit rate is about 50% or so. In general, the tack of the Bible series is to aggregate items in the index into topics like 'code,' 'data,' 'design,' language,' 'model' (you get the idea) while the reader (this reader, at least) is looking for an arrangement that is a bit more pratical.

Despite this shortcoming, Nielsen's book is one you'll keep close by your side as your navigate the depths of SQL Server.

Begin'ers + Mid Lvls Using SQL Svr 2K-- Get this book!!!
...Have experience with programming langs. like c++, java, vb, c# (and other procedural and OOP langs.)? Having trouble transitioning from procedural and OOP langs to set/list based T-SQL? Get this book.

This book is great. Plenty of explanations of T-SQL concepts. The author is a good writter. Many thanks to the author and publisher for putting the entire book on the CDROM as a PDF file. Now I can take the book with me without the extra weight. I have it on my laptop. I will be studying for my 1st SQL exam in two months, but in the mean time I'm able to finish my DB project at work now.

I bought it because I wanted to be able to write stored proc's., user defined functions, sub-queries, DTS packages, and learn how to schedule jobs in SQL Server. Also I needed some well explained examples of creative uses of select statements and sub-queries. The author delivers. For example, turning a single column in a table into a comma separate value list (CSV list). Which is often used with look-up tables used to populate a drop-down list or multi-select list.
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DECLARE @strValue VARCHAR(30)
SET @strValue = ''
SELECT @strValue = @strValue + tbl_Cities.CityName ','
FROM tbl_Cities

Result is like... "New York City,Chicago,Miami,Dallas"
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There is another book that is recommended/hailed as the best T-SQL book, but this book will get you up and running fast and offers more than just T-SQL... plenty of SQL Server admin content and practice advice that is used in the real world.

Used the Best Practices within the work environment. Great to have a guideline from which to work from. Most books say you can do 6 of one half a dozen of another, but not recommend the best approach. I like that the author goes out on a limb to make these "Best Practices".

I've been using T-SQL professionally for over six years. SQL Server 2000 Bible has taught me more detail and depth about the tools that I use, and I enjoyed the author's style and humor. He made the concepts clear and understandable, great for the beginner or the experienced programmer. I reccomend this for anyone who wants to learn to take SQL Server to it's highest potential.

If you are a developer that has a basic knowledge of SQL Server 2000 or a novice this book is the book for you. Each section is explained so easily you know how to do it with out even testing it out on the software. Very well written! I am only on page 137 and already I have doubled my knowledge about what SQL Server 2000 has to offer.