Murach's SQL for SQL Server (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Before you can use SQL to work with a SQL Server database, you need to be familiar with the concepts and terms that apply to..." (more)
Key Phrases: where invoicetotal, select invoicenumber, save point name, Enterprise Manager, Query Analyzer, Query Designer (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

If you want to learn SQL, you’ve picked the right book. Unlike most SQL books, this one starts by showing how to use SQL queries to extract and update the data in a database, because that's what every programmer needs to know. Then, the book shows how to design and implement a database, and how to use the server-side features like views, procedures, and transactions. Because its CD includes everything you need for running SQL on your own PC, this book works great whether you want to learn SQL or the specifics of SQL for Microsoft SQL Server.

From the Publisher

To be an effective database programmer, you need to master SQL for the database you’re going to be using. So this is first a book for programmers who use Microsoft SQL Server. However, but it is also a great book for anyone who wants to learn standard SQL, because its CD includes everything you need for running SQL on your own PC.

In section 1, you’ll learn the concepts and terms you need for working with any database. You’ll also learn how to use the Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine (MSDE) and the client tools for SQL Server 2000 that come on the CD. Then, you’ll be able to run SQL statements on your own PC. At that point, you’ll be prepared for rapid progress as you learn SQL.

In section 2, you’ll learn all the skills for retrieving data from a database and for adding, updating, and deleting that data. These skills move from the simple to the complex so you won’t have any trouble if you’re a SQL novice. And they present skills like using outer joins, summary queries, and subqueries that will raise your SQL expertise if you do have SQL experience.

In section 3, you’ll learn how to design a database and how to implement that design by using either SQL DDL (Data Definition Language) statements or the Enterprise Manager that comes with SQL Server. When you’re done, you’ll be able to design and implement your own databases. But even if you’re never called upon to do that, this section will give you perspective that will make you a better SQL programmer.

To complete your SQL skills, section 4 presents the skills for working with database features like views, stored procedures, functions, triggers, cursors, and transactions. These are the features that give a database management system much of its power. So once you master them, you’ll have a powerful set of SQL skills.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 570 pages
• Publisher: Mike Murach & Associates (November 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890774162
• ISBN-13: 978-1890774165
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #477,346 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Almost as good as hands on, December 31, 2003

By	Robert A. Reding (Lindenhurst, Illinois USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The most important feature of this book is that it provides good coverage of SQL Server topics with good comprehension.

I was skeptical when I heard of the 2 page format: explain a concept on the left page and show an example emphasizing important points on the right page. It turned out to be an excellent approach to teaching a subject area. Each concept is bite sized. Each example demonstrates the concept. The important points reinforce the key items and introduce subtleties you might not encounter until you've used SQL Server for a while.

I read the book as background to the 70-229 SQL Server Design exam. This book's scope provides only a subset of the exam's topics. It is a great SQL Server introduction book.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book Ever!!!, December 3, 2003

By	Peter Piluk (Cambridge, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

I picked up this book last week and I have to say
what an excellent book it is! I have been using SQL
syntax for ten years but have always been intimidated by SQL Server. Not
anymore! This book is the best book I have ever read on ANY computer topic.
The two-page format makes it easy to learn a new skill. The examples are
clear and easy to follow. I was especially impressed with the writers ability to
start with simple examples and expand on them from there. The CD that comes with he book includes an evaluaton copy of SQL Server so you have everything you need to start right away.
If you don't learn SQL Server from this book, then there is little hope you ever will!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good survey of SQL for Microsoft SQL Server 2000, January 25, 2005

By	T. R. SCHAEFER (Madison, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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This is a good book. However, if you are just beginning to learn SQL, then you should really slug through "SQL Queries for Mere Mortals" first. Having done that, I found Murach's 2 page presentation style on each topic a very good way to reinforce what I had learned in "SQL Queries for Mere Mortals". The Murach text also teaches you the SQL extensions specific to Microsoft SQL Server 2000, and covers the UPDATE, DELETE & INSERT keywords, plus Data Definition Language and the other advanced features of SQL Server.