Customer Reviews

Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft SQL Server 7 in 21 Days

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a SQL Server trainer I am often asked to recommend books, and this is one that's always on the top of my list! It presents a wealth of information in a logical progression of 21 lessons. Spending an hour or two a day with this book will give a solid foundation for adminstering SQL 7 databases.

There are several criticisms I think are off base and a few that are unfair. With respect to criticisms about the book's technical accuracy, it's by far one of the most technically accurate. Knowing both the authors personally, I can assure you that both Richard (who happens to work on the SQL Server Team at Microsoft) and Rick are very concerned that they published the most technically accurate book they could. With respect to comments emphasizing a lack of emphasis on developing applications for SQL Server, the cover says the book is targeted towards administrators.

You won't learn everything there is know about SQL or SQL Server administration (no one knows everything). You will learn the fundamentals, and more importanly where to look for further information.

I was in the middle of the MOC SQL 7.0 class and being a newbie, my brain was feeling like mush. On the second day the instructor recommended this book. I checked out the reviews. This book has made it so easy to understand everything that is going on in class. I'm not of fan of "Learn x in x Days", but this book is awesome!!! I highly recommend it if you're new to SQL Server!

I bought this book after reading the reviews. My boss told me to research on SQL Server 7 because our Foxpro tables are now more than 2GB in sizes and still growing. This book helped me on how to install SQL Server 7, configure it then setup the databases. I then started to import our Foxpro databases directly using DTS. Then I learned the data types and how they differ from Foxpro's field types. Their explanation on data types is clearer than the BOL. I must add though that I still use BOL with this book whenever I run into a wall or something. It's really a beginner's book so guys, buy it. My boss is happy I'm making progress in just a week of installing and using this book. They even reimbursed the cost of the book to me.

I'm not a huge fan of the Teach Yourself in X Days books but being that this was the only book available at the time, I purchased it anyway. I must say that I am completely satisfied with this one.

While I was expecting a book that was published just for the sake of being published early, I got an excellent text that actually teaches the subject. Even though this book was written on the beta version of the product, the authors know what they're talking about and the errata was kept to a bare minimum (I think I found one or two sample listings to be missing a comma somwhere in the first week).

If you're looking to get started with SQL 7 or learn the new interface, I would have to strongly suggest this one.

Having to learn SQL 7.0 for my job, I needed something quick and easy. After being frustrated with two other books, this was a blessing. I can really relate to the authors style. The other books are so dry they are out of touch with the general reader.

If you've never used Microsoft SQL Server before, this book is a good starting point. If you are a more experienced user, this book might be a little redundant. However, it covers the new features pretty thoroughly and after going through this book I had a pretty good grasp of 7.0. If you're looking for a Transact-SQL programming book, this is a good place to start, but does not get very in-depth for more experienced users.

While there are several errors in the syntax used in some of the samples, it's not as bad as some other texts I've used for other programs. (Example is page 119. Check the SQL Books On Line for the correct syntax and use the master db not the Leap db for the first two steps.)

Overall, a good investment.

It's a good investment for me. As a beginner, I found that this is a great book to begin. Helps me to build a strong SQL foundation

If you read this book you will learn how to get around in SQL 7.0 quickly, yes. However, a book you can read in half a day is bound to miss some information that could be very frustrating very soon. For example, there is not clear information about how different data formats interact. Pretty useful information!

If you are really going to be getting into SQL 7.0, it may be worthwhile to take another day or two and read Professional SQL Server 7.0 Programming by Robert Vieira instead. It is a little more thorough without being a boat-anchor.

I am (by today's standard) an experienced SQL Developer/DBA (among others), and this book has been by my side ever since I started to work with SQL Server 7.

I agree with many that the TYS series is not very consistent when it comes to delivering the quality you'd expect, but If I were to judge them by this book, I would have had a very tall pile of TYS books. Additionally this book is an EXCELLENT value for the price!.

The way the book is organized is excellent. Clear concise chapters with Excellent examples, no beating around the bushes, in an easy to follow style. The logical sequence of these is as good, clear and unpolluted as the content itself.

Always excellent as a reference, it is always in my bookshelf at work withing hands reach, and even though some of its contents is very elementary for my level of expertise, it is always good to have a good source to go back to for a good wiff of the basics that we sometimes forget while inmersing ourselves in our day to day mundane tasks.

SQL Server 7 may not be the current version of the product as of the date of this review, but good books always go beyond the product and into the core of the subject matter, and SQL is a prime example of this. This book does a great job of exposing the elements underneath the shell of the product and as such will be a valuable asset in years to come.

Guillermo Salas MCSE, MCDBA, CNA

One thing that isn't mentioned on this page is that Richard Waymire (one of the authors) is a Program Manager on the SQL team at Microsoft. He definitely knows what he's talking about.