Amazon.com: Professional SQL Server 7.0 Programming: Rob Vieira: Books

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Amazon.com Review
Targeted at developers interested in leveraging the latest release of Microsoft SQL Server in their applications, Professional SQL Server 7.0 Programming is a well-balanced examination of SQL Server 7 that meets the needs of readers of all levels. As author Robert Vieira points out, "even developers who have used SQL Server for years have a lot to get to grips with."

This title offers a superb look at SQL Server, but it is addressed to database users rather than database administrators. It does include a chapter on administration, but its focus is on manipulating data programmatically and by way of the product's interactive tools.

The author's conversational style engages the reader and clearly illustrates procedures. He also handles the version transition from 6.5 to 7.0 well with feature comparisons between the old and new while maintaining focus on the latest release. He includes introductory chapters on the basics of relational databases for developers who are entirely new to SQL.

This book doesn't include a CD-ROM, and a trial version of SQL Server would have been nice, but a companion Web site is available. Whether you want to get up to speed with SQL Server 7's new features or are jumping into it for the first time, this book is a great place to start. --Stephen W. Plain

Topics covered: SQL basics, relational databases, T-SQL, table creation/alteration, indices, views, scripts, stored procedures, cursors, queries, replication, OLAP, English and full-text searches, security, performance tuning, and administration.

Product Description
With the big step up from 6.5 to 7.0, SQL Server 7.0 is effectively a new product that can be installed on a pc. This enables a more flexible and powerful database for high database transaction volume. Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 is available as a standalone product and also as part of the Microsoft Backoffice suite of products. The adoption of SQL Server 7.0 is reflected in increasing sales figures for competing titles.

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78 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should Be On Every DBA's Shelf!, August 24, 2000

By	Steven A. Bell "Even Keel" (Kemp, Texas USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A truely do-it-all book. Robert Vieira has written the Transact-SQL programmer's dream. Not only is it a good reference for the more advanced DBA, but makes a decent beginner's guide (the book is not a "teach yourself", but rather for a beginner who has completed some SQL Server basics). This is the book for the beginner who wants to move through intermediate to advanced topics. The book covers:

I. Particulars and History - Building DB Connected Systems, Data Access Models.

II. RDBMS - The components of a SQL Server DB

III. Tools of the Trade - Client/Server Network Utilities, Enterprise Manager, DTS, MS DTC, Performance Monitor, Profiler, Query Analyzer, OSQL, Service Manager

Then The Good Stuff:

First the basics:

IV. The Foundation Statements of T-SQL - Select, Where, ETC.

V. Joining Tables - Inner/Outer, Cross, Full, Union

VI. Creating and Altering Tables

Then the Intermediate Stuff:

VII. Constraints - Primary Keys, Foreign Keys, Unique, Check, Default, Disabling, Rules, Triggers

VIII.Normalization and Basic Design Issues - Relationships, Diagramming, De-Normalizing, Examples

Then the Advanced Stuff:

IX. Speeding Performance: Storage and Index Structures

X. Views - Simple, Complex, Editing, etc.

XI. Writing Scripts and Batches - OSQL

XII. Code Storage: Stored Procedures - Intermediate to Advanced - This is pretty much exhaustivly covered. Includes error handling, control of flow.

XIII.Transactions and Locks - More advanced SProc handling, Checkpoints, Locks and Concurrancy, Handling Deadlocks

XIV. Triggers - A truely great chapter, untangling what is usually a badly explained subject.

And a lot more... Chapters 15 through 25 cover the really advanced subjects like: Advanced Queries, Distributed Queries/Transactions, SQL Cursors, BCP, DTS, Replication (in detail), Advanced DB Design, OLAP (in detail), English Query and Full Text Search, Security (very well done), Performance Tuning (in detail), Advanced Administration.

The appendices cover: Global Variables, Functions, Tools, Error Listing, Access Upsizing. An excellent index rounds out the package. If you are worried about coverage on any of the above topics...don't the book is a real luggable (1.5" thick, a couple of pounds in weight).

The only other book I would recommend to round out the SQL Server DBA's library would be MS Press' Administrator's Pocket Guide. You really won't need anything else! This book is a must have.

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47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic SQL Book, May 29, 2000

By	"bdunn" (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This book is somewhat of a rarity to me. Many of the other SQL books are, as you can well imagine, very boring. Rob Vieira does a great job making this book flow from subject to subject in such a way that it's almost a page turner. If you have any interest in SQL design (or admin), I'm sure you will find yourself reading this book much longer than originally intended. It is an excellent job.

Rob Vieira obviously has real world experience with SQL Server, and it shows between the covers of SQL Server 7 Programming. I'd suggest you read the book from cover to cover, all along the way picking up little tips and suggestions, remembering what you may have forgotten, and learning a whole lot of new tips and tricks that you never knew (or at least I didn't know about).

The book's title doesn't fairly represent the content in my opinion. This book covers almost everything about SQL 7 Server, from T-SQL basics through OLAP, tuning, replication (a great chapter), etc. If there is a "bible" for SQL 7 Server, this book is it.

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30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear and indepth book by a programer for programers, January 23, 2000

By	Henry Ihej (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

Most technical books on advanced subjects leave much to be desired. They are often too academic and are for the most part a repeat of the manufacturers standard literature, (for example Microsoft's literature). Robert Viera has written a book that is easy enough for the beginner to follow and yet aimed at the serious professional dealing with real world technical problems.

Professional SQL Server 7.0 Programming tacles the challenges that programmers face in the real world and it does it with in-depth discussion and examples. You hardly need to refere to other sources for more information.

What's more, I was pleasantly amazed when the author returned my email cry for help within a half hour. I was faced with a Microsoft bug in SQL 7 and Microsoft tech support was no where to be found. Mr. Vieira's prompt response saved the day. I don't expect the author to substitute for Microsoft technical support, but the incident convinced me that he was a working programmer's writing from the view point of a programmer.

I look forwards to buying any other books that he will author. How about one on MS Visual Interdev or ASP?