Beginning SQL Server 2005 for Developers: From Novice to Professional

WOW! I picked this book up with hopes of learning SQL and databases in general. I read Microsoft MCDBA book and also half of Microsoft 2000 SQL Server Unleashed Second Edition. I still wasn't clear about certain things. This book simply is amazing. I couldn't put it down and first day, I stayed up until 3am reading it. I am on page 200 right now and so far, I understand every topic written so far. The author does excellent job in explaining everything in VERY simple form. He tells you things that you need to know. The book starts off with introduction, then it moves on to Installation of SQL 2005 server. While you read the book, you are building database for financial company/bank from scratch, so this is really nice because you gain experience in doing it if you don't have a chance to work with it at your job. While you are creating database/tables/etc. the author shows up two ways of doing it. One with SQL Management Studio and then he shows you how to do it with T-SQL. The cool thing about the approach is that author goes over T-SQL code line by line explaining VERY clearly what it does. This is very nice for someone like me who doesn't have any programming experience and becomes confused the second I see code. I would strongly recommend this book to new people who just want to learn SQL and how things work. It's great. I am very happy with it. I read many technical books, with my favorite author being Mark Minasi. This book is written in same simple, easy to understand language. Get this book, setup virtual machine with server 2003 on your computer, download 120 days evaluation version of SQL 2005 from Microsoft website and you are on your way to go. I assure you, you will learn something and you will have fun doing it! Great job Mr. Dewson. I will search around and purchaser more books written by you!

With the first chapter, you will learn details and techniques how to install and configure SQL Server 2005 for different editions. The second chapter inroduces the new client tools to interact with SQL Server 2005. To understand the concept and techniques of databases, the author walk you through a real world example to apply these concepts. This is a perfect way to relate what you lean to a practical complete project. The book ends with the advanced features that were added to SQL Server 2005 compared to SQL 2000. There is also a detailed chapters about security configuration for the installation and post installation phases. I will recommend this book for beginners and professional users as well.

This book is great for beginners to databases and to SQL Server 2005. It does a great job of introducing not only the main features of SQL Server 2005, but also the main concepts of database development and design. The book includes information on all of the things a beginner needs to get start creating and using their own databases, including system requirements, installation tips, database design concepts and how to actually implement them using the tools found in SQL Server 2005. Once a beginner has gotten over the install and set up of a database, this book also has great info on how to use the database. It's got good coverage of all the essentials, T-SQL, stored procedures, back up and restore, indexes, views, and it even has a section on Advanced T-SQL. There's even a chapter on Reporting Services that's nice, too. The only thing that may be considered missing is more information in SQL Server Integration Services, but then that could be considered an "advanced" topic. Overall, this book does a great job of introducing SQL Server 2005 to its intended audience.

Professionals with limited knowledge about databases or SQL will still be able to work with both thanks to the expert advice by SQL author Robin Dewson in BEGINNING SQL SERVER 2005 FOR DEVELOPERS FROM NOVICE TO PROFESSIONAL. Terms are defined and fully explained each step of the way, the basics of data manipulation and SQL Server language are revealed, and chapters for developers and database administrator alike cover all the basics; from creating indexes and structuring a database to working with the data. Highly recommended for any who wish to make database management part of their repertoire. Diane C. Donovan, Editor California Bookwatch

I've been looking around for a book that covers the full & released version of SQL Server 2005 and this is the only one I've found so far. All of the other books appear to be based on beta versions. Something to keep in mind. The author tackles the subject of the book in a detailed yet concise manner and this makes for an interesting read. I would definitely recommend this to people migrating to SQL Server, people new to the system, and people upgrading to the latest version. As with any book, there are the odd few flaws in the book and some of the code can be hard to understand, but these are only small issues and certainly wouldn't devalue the book in my opinion.