Beginning SQL Server 2005 Express Database Applications with Visual Basic Express and Visual Web Developer Express: From Novice to Professional

Nowadays, it is all too common for someone with a competing interest to dis a book in the hopes of steering others away. After reading several of the negative reviews for this book, I was worried that might be happening here. When I checked out this book in a bookstore and compared it with four others on SQL Express 2005, I found this one to be a superior presentation of the subject. It is cogent and will written, and provides analysis that goes well beyond the beginning level. The overall presentation is well crafted and easy to follow. The type-face is small, but that just means that you get more for your money, as there is a lot of meat on these pages. The author addressed my issues supprisingly well. The insights he gave show that he has considerable experience with the subject and has thought carefully about how to present it. I highly recommend this book if you really want to understand the subject matter.

'Beginning SQL Server 2005 Express Database Applications with Visual Basic Express and Visual Web Developer Express: From Novice to Professional' by Rick Dobson is a very nice learning tool for beginners who want to learn how to use SQL Server 2005 Express and Visual Basic Express to create database/client apps that will get the job done and done well. With ~600 page of material, the author leads you through the basics of what SQL Server 2005 and Visual Basic is and the power that these APIs have at your disposal. You'll go from a simple app and database to learning how to build these up in a logical, fun way. If you are new to these technologies and want to learn, I feel that this is a great resource to use to flood your brain with new information. For those that complain this book isn't too good, it's not meant to be a book for uber programmers but newbies. I think if you want to learn, you ought to give this a try! ***** RECOMMENDED

I have just a little experience in access 2000 so the thought of moving to SQL databases was scary. Rick Dobson did a great job of taking the fear out of SQL with his book Beginning SQL Server 2005 Express. He takes you step by step through the process of working with SQL Server 2005 Express. The lessons are paced for the beginners and the code examples work, that in it self is something new. He starts you at the beginners level and then brings you to some of the advanced topics. I am only a few chapters into the book and I'm already starting to feel comfortable working with SQL databases. If you are just starting out in databases then this book is a must have.

I have been through the loops on trying to learng SQL express. This book does an awesome job of taking you from start to solid ground in SQL Express. I have not found any other source that does such a complete job for learning SQL Express and integrating with VB express and Web developer express. Definite a keeper and highly recommended. Authors also does a three day seminar that will jumpstart your progress considerably.

If I have any complaint about this book, it is for the publisher, not the author. I would have appreciated a better visual layout. The material is dense--the pages shouldn't be. But the information within the book is very useful, both for SQL Server express 2005 and for Visual Basic Express 2005 as well. Mr. Dobson clearly knows and loves his topic.