Beginning SQL Server 2000 Programming

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 792 pages
• Published by: Apress
• Edition: Revised Edition August 27, 2003
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1590592522
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1590592526
• Book Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 1.6 inches
• Weighs: 2.7 pounds

Product 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


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

In this book youll 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 youve mastered the basics of SQL Server, youll move on to learn more advanced techniques. By the end of this book, youll have a firm grasp of the most important SQL Server features and be able to develop your own effective database solutions.

Reader Reviews
This review is from: Beginning SQL Server 2000 Programming (Paperback) This book is a good starting point programmers who are familiar with other databases but want to learn about SQL Server 2000. This book includes a 120-day evaluation copy of SQL Server 2000, and the author guides us through, installation and configuration of our first database. In the process, we learn how to use the Enterprise Manager and Query Analyzer programs for database development. Unfortuantely, the section on primary keys and unique constraints is weak. And, the author's coverage of triggers is confusing. You'll have to find another book to supplement these sections if you have not yet mastered these concepts.