Beginning SQL Server 2000 Programming (Paperback)

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Key Phrases: server group, server roles, data retrieval, Enterprise Manager, Cancel Help, Back Next (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Aimed at those starting out with SQL Server databases as programmers or administrators, Beginning SQL Server 2000 Programming can put basic database skills in reach for readers of all levels. Packed with screen shots of how to use the relevant SQL Server tools and wizards, this book sets a high standard for accessibility for a tutorial text on Microsoft databases.

Most titles use screen shots to at least guide readers through installation of computer software and then turn to a more text-based presentation style later on. Not so with this text, which has several hundred screen shots used throughout showing SQL Server tools in action. After covering how to install and configure SQL Server (a trial edition is including on the accompanying CD), the author continues to show off tools like Enterprise Manager and Query Analyzer at work with plenty of step-by-step, hands-on tutorials with plentiful screen shots.

This book walks you through designing and creating a simple database (one that stores results for a golf league). In most every case, the author shows off using a tool alongside a more "manual" approach using SQL to get the job done. (For example, there's step-by-step coverage of how to create tables and indexes using Enterprise Manager, as well as how to do the same tasks using raw SQL in Query Analyzer.) Along the way, there is a solid tutorial to basic SQL for querying, inserting, updating, and deleting data, plus a good introduction to stored procedures and triggers. The strong sections on backing up and restoring databases are all you need to get started with basic database administration in SQL Server. Besides nuts-and-bolts DBA tasks, this book also offers a quick introduction to XML support available on the Microsoft database platform. The text closes with a handy listing of all T-SQL keywords, plus a guide to security options and settings available in SQL Server.

In all, this hands-on guide to database essentials can let you start effectively administering and programming with SQL Server regardless of your level of database experience. --Richard Dragan

Topics Covered:

• SQL Server 2000 versions explained
• Hardware requirements
• Installing SQL Server
• Database administration tools (including Enterprise Manager and Server Manager)
• Query Analyzer tutorial
• Basic database analysis and design (defining fields and normalization)
• Creating databases (including a sample database for golf league results)
• Creating tables (NULL values and SQL data types)
• Indexes (design hints, clustered, and nonclustered indexes)
• Referential integrity
• Foreign keys
• Table relationships (one-to-one, one-to-many, and many-to-many joins)
• Database diagrams
• Backups and recovery (using wizards and generating SQL scripts)
• Automated maintenance and planning
• Basic T-SQL tutorial
• Inserting data (including image data)
• Retrieving data (including filters and string functions)
• Updating data (plus transactions)
• Deleting data (including truncating and dropping tables)
• Using views and stored procedures (including system variables and system stored procedures)
• XML basics
• Publishing XML data on the Web
• Using triggers
• Reference to T-SQL functions and security options

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

<p>Microsoft SQL Server 2000 provides enterprise-class database solutions, offering interactive development tools and complete management of your relational database applications.</p>

<p>In this book you'll build a sample database with SQL Server and in the process learn how to design with solutions in mind. If you are migrating from a desktop solution such as Access to SQL Server, this book will provide you with clear and practical demonstrations of the relevant tasks at every stage in the process. Once you've mastered the basics of SQL Server, you'll move on to learn more advanced techniques. By the end of this book, you'll have a firm grasp of the most important SQL Server features and be able to develop your own effective database solutions.</p>

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Product Details

• Paperback: 792 pages
• Publisher: Apress; Revised edition (August 27, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590592522
• ISBN-13: 978-1590592526
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,537,388 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for those not knowing SQL Server 2000, July 30, 2001

By	Jack Shazman (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beginning SQL Server 2000 Programming (Paperback)

Bought this book as I know nothing about SQL Server 2000, or any database. Found it was written at an easy pace but great attention to detail which made everything real clear.

Found I was up and running in hours and enough in the book to get me far enough so I could do what I needed to do, quickly. However, dont be fooled. It didnt treat me as stupid! It also gave me a lot of info which makes me no longer a beginner. Also cool that it had an evaluation copy of SQL Server.

I dont normally like Wrox (too big!) but this might change my mind and swap over to them. Recommend it to those who know databases or not. Well done!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great beginners book!, July 10, 2001

By	Robert Prentice (Baltimore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beginning SQL Server 2000 Programming (Paperback)

Just moving across from Access to SQL Server and I found this a brilliant book. Starting from the installation, through creating a database onwards it covers every aspect.The best part is that the book covers the same area from every angle so I could choose which method from the choices SQL Server 2000 gives me, suits me best. I didnt know which book to buy on the shelves in the book store, but from just opening the book at random pages the author had a great style of writing.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book. Detailed review below..., September 4, 2002

By	Frank Gadsby (Manchester, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beginning SQL Server 2000 Programming (Paperback)

This is an excellent beginners book. From installation through to triggers all you need to know to get up and running. Shame it is missing about User Defined Functions but I thought this was a really good book.

Chapter 1 - Good coverage of the versions, whats what. Also liked the installation of SQL Server.
Chapter 2 Covered areas such as Enterprise Manager well and like the Configuring section. Found out how to set some very useful propreties
Chapter 3 - Query Analyzer. Went through every item that a beginner should need as well as an intermediate. Helped me figure out and set up as I wanted
Chapter 4 - This chapter for DB design etc is very clear and concise. I liked the Normalization section as well as relationships as to how these work
Chapter 5/6/7 - Enough coverage and good warnings about the system databases and building the sample db. Also loved the defining tables and the different data types and finally all about the different indexes you can have. Very useful.

Chapter 8 - This was my favourite chapter as it showed how to build relationships between tables.
Chapter 9 - didnt think this was really necessary
Chapter 10 - Good basics of backups. Not much on network backups.
Chapter 11 - Good basics again of maintenance
Chapter 12 - Images!! Yes!! No-one else I know touches this.
chapter 13-15 - Loved transactions in the Insert chapter. all the others cover good basics of T-SQL
Chapter 16 - Could have done a bit more on indexing a view but apart from that shows how to create a view well. Also how to use it
Chapter 17/18 - Would have liked to see more about nested stored procedures but again good coverage. Dealing with errors was my favourite part
Chapter 19 - XML - The way so much is going. Maybe book needs updating for SQLXML 3.0?
chapter 20 - A bit advanced for beginners but triggers are a great plus.

As I say, this is the best beginning SQL Server book I bought (this was my third!) and I loved the authors style and content. Wasnt confused at any point and found all that was being said to be clear. Wish I had bought it first

Its downfalls? Well images it does say you need a binary stream to input an image but doesnt show any VB code to pass it in. No UDF's or UDT's and no coverage of SQL XML 3. Dedication was interesting but a bit long....
Excellent coverage on how to complete each action in any method you wish so this does lead to excellent T-SQL coverage.

Loved it