Microsoft SQL Server(tm) 2000 Administrator's Companion [With CDROM]

I found this book to be very helpful for people who have some database knowledge, but who are unfamiliar with SQL, and SQL server services. To this end, I found that this book has one of the most concise, and clear reference to the SQL language. I have read two tutorials before on the subject of SQL, but have always felt somehow that the ideas behind the language seem to elude me. Maybe the third time was the charm. After I read this particular book, I felt that I got a solid understanding of SQL, and I feel that I would be referring back to this book from time to time for its lucid explanation on SQL operations.Many previous posters have noted the abundance of tutorials for introducing users to how to use wizards. I find this a welcoming feature, as novices like me would certainly be comforted in knowing that there are such user-friendly features available in SQL to lower the learning curve. Nonetheless, some claims that the book lacked examples on how to use the T-SQL language is simply note true. The book provides corresponding examples of everything it covers in T-SQL script. So far, I have yet to find one script to fail executing on my default installation of SQL Server 2000. Those T-SQL scripts may not have the same sophistication as some other DBA books offer, they nonetheless provide a very good introduction to the novice in the field. I must also commend the author of this book in his clear style of writing. I didn't find a single instance where I was bogged down while reading this book by the complicated structure of the language. I find this to be an exceptional gift in any technical documentation.Overall, I found this book to be a perfect fit for my purpose. I have always resented books which packed too much information into too little space, and this book has shown that it has the right balance of material as it couldn't have hoped to be both a good introduction for novices and a "bible" for advanced users. I did not expect this to be the last book I will purchase on SQL Server, since it certainly doesn't cover the nitty-gritties of SQL Server as books like "Inside SQL Server 2000" do. As a first book, though, it is perfect.

I found this book to be an excellent introduction to sql 2000. I am a Network/Systems Engineer/Consultant. Most the environments I have worked in have dedicated staff acting as DBA's. In these environments the cultish status of the DBA camp has always left me wondering what do and how they do it. Now I have a pretty good idea what dba's do and ideas about how to resolve problems with databases in a pinch. Basically, this book has given me enough that when confronted with SQL I will know where problems are rooted and be better equiped to solve them. The bulk of the reviews here say this is far from an Administrators companion and will leave you high and dry. Point is these reviewers have more experience than myself and need finer granularity of information. If you are experienced with SQL this book will probably fall flat other than to introduce you to the product and version specific enhancements. If you are looking for a way to begin unraveling the SQL knot, this is a good way to start. Look at it as a first step.

This is a good book to study SQL Server 2000 for both novice and experienced DBA. Can also be used as reference. It is a time-saver.It is very well organized and to the point. It tells the technical know-how just enough for a DBA. The chapter of "capacity planning" is also readable and useful. In addition E-book on CD helps to locate interested content fast.BTW, SQL Server 6.5 to SQL Server 7 was a big leap. The version difference should be 1 (It was said to be a total re-engineering). While SQL 7 to SQL 2000 is probably 0.3. However, the technical gap between SQL server and Oracle is getting smaller. For experienced DBA, this book helps to grasp SQL 2000 in a few hours.I give 5-points to this practical "companion".

Probably the best book I own (and I own a lot). I have minimal experiance with SQL server, and I'm now an SQL admin by default at my company. Recently we required an upgrade to SQL 2000 to replicate with a client and I bought this book. For the first week I used it as a referenc to answer any questions that come up. Now I'm reading the thing pretty much straight through (skipping some of the beginning chapters and some clustering info which I don't need yet). I have yet to read a paragraph where the authors aren't absolutely clear. I feel like I'm becoming an expert at this stuff, and I'm sure it will be a good exam prep book. Yes it's over 1000 pages, but it is as readable as any book I've ever picked up (and this stuff usually puts me to sleep). I'd recommend it for all experience levels. The upgrade chapter was light, but I know why after having done one.

If you want to dig into SQL 2000, you have to have this book.