Microsoft SQL Server 7 for Dummies [With *]

I had to get the basics down for SQL Server fast, in order to prepare for a roundtable of the 3 different major databases (DB2, Oracle, and SQL Server). I found this book to be an excellent introduction to this product. The book provided quick and understandable examples to some very complex database concepts and objects. I recommend this book for anyone that is interested in learning the basics of SQL Server.

Did you know that such things as Primary and Foreign Keys, Clustered Indexes, Triggers, etc. can actually be explained quite simply? Without "here, read these 1,000 pages"? Buy this book if you've been turned off my SQL Server confusion and want to get turned on to a great database.

I used this book as a step-by-step guide. It walked me through the installation and showed me how to use the basic tools and wizards. In almost all cases, the author shows you how to perform a task using at least 2 different methods and sometimes 3.There were very few technical errors (and I was able to figure out what was wrong by just playing around with the tools). In no way would I consider this a high-level, advanced book, but for someone new to SQL Server it fits the bill.

While this book maybe less than what a seasoned DBA maybe looking for it is non the less an excellent book. The author wrote the book using Beta 3 and I used it against RC-1 of SQL 7. There were some differences but not enough to interfere with the authors clear introduction to SQL 7.I believe you will find SQL Server 7 for Dummies to be a superb introduction to SQL 7 and as only one of two books on the subject in print at the time of this review it is the least expensive and most informative.Regards