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Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Unleashedby Ray Rankins, Paul Jensen, Paul Bertucci, et al.Copyright 2002Sams Publishing
If you can only afford one book on SQL Server 2000, this is the book to own. I have been a fan of the previous two editions (for 6.5 and 7.0), and the editions keep getting better. The best way to describe this book is as an encyclopedia of SQL Server 2000. Virtually every topic is covered, and most every topic is covered in more than enough depth for the typical DBA or developer. Sure, no book covers everything there is to know about SQL Server 2000, but this books comes closer than any others. With 1,472 pages, it had better.
Unlike many other SQL Server books, that either focus on the needs of DBAs or developers, this books provides for the needs of both. This is important as most people who work with SQL Server 2000 aren't exclusively DBAs or developers, but instead, have overlapping duties.
Another great feature of this book is that it is easy to understand. It is clearly written and the concepts are generally well explained.
Here's what the book covers (this list is really long):
The SQL Server Environment
SQL Server 2000 Editions
What's New in SQL Server 2000
Installing a New SQL Server Instance
Client Installation and Configuration
SQL Server System and Database Administration
SQL Server Enterprise Manager
SQL Server Command-Line Utilities
Creating and Managing Databases
Creating and Managing Tables in SQL Server
Creating and Managing Indexes
Data Integrity
Creating and Managing Views in SQL Server
Creating and Managing Stored Procedures
Creating and Managing Triggers
User-Defined Functions
Security and User Administration
Database Backup and Recovery
Database Maintenance
SQL Server Scheduling and Notification
Managing Linked and Remote Servers
Importing and Exploring SQL Server Data Using BCP
Importing and Exporting SQL Server Data Using DTS
Administrating Very Large SQL Server Databases
Data Replication
Defining SQL Server Environment and Naming Standards
Using Transact-SQL
Transaction Management and the Transaction Log
Distributed Transaction Processing
SQL Server Internals
Indexes and Performance
Understanding Query Optimization
Query Analysis
Using the SQL Server Profiler
Using the SQL Debugger in Query Analyzer
Monitoring SQL Server Performance
Locking and Performance
Database Design and Performance
Configuring, Tuning, and Optimizing SQL Server Options
SQL Mail
Using XML in SQL Server 2000
Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services
Microsoft Transaction Server
SQL Server Clustering
Full Text Search
Besides offering comprehensive coverage of SQL Server, one of the best features of this book is its heavy coverage of SQL Server performance. It includes nine full chapters on this topic. In fact, I believe it is one of the best and easiest-to-understand coverage of SQL Server performance in any books available today.
The book even includes a chapter on SQL Server clustering, although it is not as strong as it could be. But it does provide the foundation you need before you begin to implementing SQL Server clustering on your own.
This book is just packed with useful information. I highly recommend this book for anyone involved with SQL Server 2000, whether you are a beginner, or even an advanced user. As I read through this book, I was amazed at how much I learned. I am sure you will too.
