Microsoft SQL Server 2008 For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)) (Paperback)

by Mike Chapple (Author)
Key Phrases: resource governor, replicating data, table designer, Server Agent, Server Management Studio, Server Configuration Manager (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
If you’re a database administrator, you know Microsoft SQL Server 2008 is revolutionizing database development. Get up to speed on SQL Server 2008, impress your boss, and improve your company’s data management — read Microsoft SQL Server 2008 For Dummies!

SQL Server 2008 lets you build powerful databases and create database queries that give your organization the information it needs to excel. Microsoft SQL Server 2008 For Dummies helps you build the skills you need to set up, administer, and troubleshoot SQL Server 2008. You’ll be able to:

• Develop and maintain a SQL Server system
• Design databases with integrity and efficiency
• Turn data into information with SQL Server Reporting Services
• Organize query results, summarizing data with aggregate functions and formatting output
• Import large quantities of data with SSIS
• Keep your server running smoothly
• Protect data from prying eyes
• Develop and implement a disaster recovery plan
• Improve performance with database snapshots
• Automate SQL Server 2008 administration

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 For Dummies is a great first step toward becoming a SQL Server 2008 pro!

From the Back Cover

The fun and easy way® to build powerful databases

See how to administer, troubleshoot, and report like a pro in SQL Server

Are you ready to unleash the power hidden within your organization's data to meet business objectives? This book will help you build the skills that SQL Server database administrators must have to succeed. You'll find out how to develop and maintain a SQL Server system, design databases, manipulate data, and much more.

Discover how to:

• Build your first SQL Server databases

• Insert, manipulate, and retrieve data

• Keep your database server running smoothly

• Protect data from prying eyes

• Improve performance with database snapshots

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies (September 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470224657
• ISBN-13: 978-0470224656
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #145,498 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #85 in

  Books > Computers & Internet > Microsoft > Development > SQL Server

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, solid admin guide, December 10, 2008

By	Kimberly A. Lindros ""content developer/e... (Cedar Park, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

First, I have to come clean. I am a content developer by trade, have worked on a few of Mike's books in the past, and have contracted with him several times to develop some online courses for my clients. Even so, I'll try to be as unbiased as possible, but it'll be hard because Mike is *such* a good author.

"Microsoft SQL Server 2008 for Dummies" is a solid, well-organized guide for using SQL Server. It's not geared for developers or programmers (unless they want to pick up administration skills), but you can learn how to create and manipulate databases in addition to installing and maintaining a database server. The writing is easy to follow and describes concepts consisely and clearly, which is Mike's classic style. Mike also uses a lot of examples and imagery, which helps immensely to guide you through some of the more difficult techniques.

The book is chockful of practical information about running and using SQL Server, but lacks the humor and clever headings found in many of the For Dummies books. If you're a "just the facts" kind of person who wants to learn how to use SQL Server and doesn't care much about novel headings, grab this book. At about $30 (USD) retail, it's a great value considering the breadth of topics covered. The only thing I would've liked to see expanded is the Troubleshooting chapter. Even though I was an IT book project editor for several years, and even worked on a handful of For Dummies books, I generally don't use IT books until something goes wrong. Then I pore through them, usually on Safari Books Online, beginning with the troubleshooting information. For the next version of Microsoft SQL Server for Dummies, I suggest adding at least two or three examples of log file entries that indicate a medium to serious problem, or some real-world situations or database meltdowns, and what to do about them.

Overall, thanks for another great book Mike!

3.0 out of 5 stars Nicely written but not enough there there, July 3, 2009

By	Cort Johnson "Cort Johnson" (San Diego, Ca USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The author is a good writer, he's well organized, he get's his point across well - the problem is that he doesn't do it enough. This is a nice introduction to MS SQL but its simply too short and ultimately too lightweight for the subject. There are other good beginners manuals out there that, if they aren't as entertaining, are more useful. Dummies cut the legs out from under this text by keeping it so compact - too bad, if he'd had more room he undoubtedly could have created a excellent manual.