SQL: Access to SQL Server

SQL: Access to SQL Server
by Susan Sales Harkins and Martin W.P. Reid
Copyright 2002
Apress

Find out more about this book, or purchase it, from Amazon.com

Many SQL Server DBAs and developers who have come up through the ranks started out as Microsoft Access developers. In fact, I was one of them. I starting developing in Access with version 1.0, which now seems like eons ago.

If you are a current Access developer who wants to learn how to get the most out of Access, or who has set his or her sights on eventually becoming a SQL Server developer, you will probably be interested in the book SQL: Access to SQL Server. 

This book is targeted to current Access developers who want to learn how to learn the basics of SQL, more specifically: Jet SQL for Access and Transact-SQL for SQL Server. While Access has plenty of Wizards and other tools for beginning Access users, its real power lies in mastering Jet SQL. And when you find that Jet SQL and Access don't quite pass muster for a big project, then Transact-SQL and SQL Server are the way to go. And the transition from Access to SQL Server doesn't have to be a difficult path, especially if you have this book to guide you.

Here's what this book covers:

• Structured Query Language

• An Introduction to Using Jet SQL in Access

• An Introduction to Relational Database Theory

• SQL Grammar

• Retrieving Data

• Modifying Data

• Grouping and Summarizing Data

• Creating and Modifying Tables

• Manipulating Relationships and Indexes

• Advanced Manipulation Techniques

• Queries: The Sequel

• An Introduction to the SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine

• Introduction to SQL Server

• SQL Server Views

• SQL Server Structures

• Working with Stored Procedures

• Upsizing Directly from Access

• Security Issues

• SQL Server Meets the Web

As you can see from the book's contents, the first section focuses on how to use Jet SQL and Access, while the second section focuses on Transact-SQL and SQL Server. Overall, the book is easy to read and to follow, with plenty of useful examples.

Like most books of this nature, performance is given short shrift. While the topic does come up occasionally, I think more coverage should be devoted to it, especially when it comes to converting an Access application to a SQL Server application. There are many performance-related pitfalls in doing this, and they need to be discussed thoroughly.

If you are wanting to learn how to master Jet SQL, or if you are considering, or making the move to SQL Server from Access, you should check out this book. It provides a good introduction to SQL from both an Access and SQL Server perspective. Once you have mastered the basics in this book, you will be ready for a more extensive exploration of Transact-SQL, such as found in the book Professional SQL Server 2000 Programming.