Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 Database Implementation Training Kit [Paperback]

Microsoft Press (Author), Microsoft Corporation (Author)

Book Description

Series: Training Kit | Publication Date: January 1, 1999

Candidates for the MCP exams can learn all they need to know about Microsoft SQL Server with the help of this training kit. This title is also targeted at SQL Server implementers, system engineers, and developers who are responsible for planning and deploying Microsoft SQL Server and writing Transact-SQL code.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

As the latest installment in the series of training kits from Microsoft Press, Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 Database Implementation Training Kit focuses on how to work with data in SQL Server 7 and prepares you for the 70-029 Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) exam. SQL Server is a mammoth product, and administrating it is far different from mere data manipulation. This title offers a self-paced program for learning how to create and access SQL Server databases with foresight and skill.

The book begins with a discussion on Transact-SQL--the Microsoft flavor of SQL used to work with SQL Server. During the first few chapters, the book shows you how to create database objects, implement constraints and rules, and work with indexes. Clear syntax diagrams and straightforward examples help make these important issues more intuitive. The course moves on to multi-table queries, explaining join types, subqueries, and cursor manipulation. While this section covers a lot of material, part of the appendix offers a review of basic querying concepts.

As you progress through the chapter lessons, you'll learn about locking scenarios, transaction management, distributed database configurations, and stored procedures. Each lesson clearly frames the information to be learned and includes an overview and summary section. In addition, review questions prompt you to play with real-world scenarios while an accompanying CD-ROM provides multimedia presentations of key concepts. This training kit addresses the core database competencies essential for anyone looking to exploit SQL Server's powerful capabilities. -- Stephen Plain

Product Details

• Paperback: 800 pages
• Publisher: Microsoft Press (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572318260
• ISBN-13: 978-1572318267
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,560,255 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Adequate but not really enough to satisfy., February 15, 2000

By 

Thomas E. Denham (Alpharetta, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 Database Implementation Training Kit (Paperback)

This was the first book I read in preparation for the Implementing a Database Design on Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 (Exam 70-029). The first thing I noticed was that a good portion of what I had been tested on for the System Administration for Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 (Exam 70-028) was covered in this text. It is clear that you really need to work through both the Administration and Design books to be prepared for either of Microsoft's SQL 7.0 Exams.

This book left me with questions. For example, I could not understand cursors after reading it through but when I consulted Transact-SQL Programming by Kline, Gould, and Zanevsky and Inside Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 by Soukup and Delaney I found the concept very clear and understandable. After reading through all of these I took the Microsoft Official Curriculum course and the 700-page notebook that came with that was my favorite study guide. I was surprised that the MOC material was the most complete even though the Self Study Kit overlaps with a lot of the material covered. I only saw one concept on my version of the 70-029 exam that was not covered in the course material but there were probably 4 or 5 concepts that were not covered in the books I read. Note: None of this reading really prepares you for the rigors of the 70-029 exam. This test really cries out for drilling on good prep software like Transcender so that you can spot the easier questions and answer them quickly to save time for the more demanding questions that require extensive analysis. I spent 20 minutes diagramming the database described in my first question so that I could make sense of what was being asked. Many of the questions appear to require this kind of detailed analysis unless you know to look for the flaws that invalidate all but one of the answers.

The Design book may be overpriced in comparison to other books but it does seem to be the lowest cost access to enough of the material you need to comprehend the range of concepts tested in 70-029. By supplementing it with a lot of reading in Books On Line you might get everything you need. I don't regret paying $1500.00 for the MOC and spending 5 days in class but I understand that not everyone can choose that route.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a serious book for serious students..., August 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 Database Implementation Training Kit (Paperback)

You have to keep in mind that a great many of the negative comments you'll be reading are being made by people who failed the test and desperately need someone to blame other than themselves. This is a superb book from start to finish and best of all it provides you with a 120-day evaluation copy of SQL Server 7.0. There is no magic "single-copy" edition of any book for any exam. You need to supplement your studies with several books along with the required hands on experience. Use this book with Microsoft's Resource Guide, Kalen Delaney's "Inside SQL Server 7.0", Exam Cram, and Transcenders. SQL is fierce beyond belief and you have to be willing to do an extraordinary amount of work in order to master it. Be willing to do what's necessary and you'll be writing rave reviews about this book after you pass the exam. If you fail to do the required amount of work, I guarantee you'll be back here firing off Microsoft flames and blaming them for your failing grade. If you need further motivation for hitting the books, just think of the bushels full of money that employers will be throwing at you for passing this exam.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better for test prep than for routine DBA tasks., February 8, 2000

By 

Thomas E. Denham (Alpharetta, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 System Administration Training Kit (Paperback)

This is a pretty good test preparation book. It is the only volume I read cover to cover to prepare for the System Administration for Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 exam (70-028). I had spot read several other volumes to prepare a maintenance guide for SQL Server 7.0 installations so had become familiar with admin topics on the job. I did find after passing the Admin test that my margin of safety would have been greater if I had read the companion volume on Implementing a Database Design on Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 (Exam 70-029) before I tested. It is clear that you really need to work through both the Administration and Design books to be prepared for either of Microsoft's SQL 7.0 Exams.