Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Programming By Example

Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Programming By Example
by Fernando G. Guerrero & Carlos Eduardo Rojas
Copyright 2001
Que Corporation

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When I first started learning Transact-SQL, there were few books to choose from. Today, you have many choices, including this new book from Que. Like most books that cover Transact-SQL, this book is introductory in nature and is designed for readers who already have some background in programming, but are interested in learning the basics of Transact-SQL.

What separates this book from most of the others is its heavy emphasis on writing code by using examples provided in the book. While most books have examples, this book provides a code example for almost everything it covers. If you are the type of person who learns by doing, and not by just reading, then you may find this book very useful.

If you are expecting a book covering every conceivable aspect of Transact-SQL and SQL Server development, this is the wrong book for you. It is designed for beginners who want to learn Transact-SQL. It does not cover database design, SQL Server administration, SQL Server Analysis Services, and other advanced topics. The book stays on its focus, not trying to cover every possible topic.

Here's what's covered:

• Relational Database Management Systems and SQL Server

• Elements of Transact-SQL

• Working with Tables and Views

• Querying and Modifying Data

• Querying Multiple Tables: Joins

• Optimizing Access to Data: Indexes

• Enforcing Data Integrity

• Implementing Business Logic: Programming Stored Procedures

• Implementing Complex Processing Logic: Programming Triggers

• Enhancing Business Logic: User-Defined Functions

• Using Complex Queries and Statements

• Row-Oriented Processing: Using Cursors

• Maintaining Data Consistency: Transactions and Locks

• Transferring Data to and from SQL Server

• Working with Heterogeneous Environments: Setting Up Linked Servers

For the most part, the book doesn't put enough emphasis on SQL Server performance tuning as I would prefer. As you may know, I feel that most SQL Server performance problems are caused by poor database design and development, and because of this, I think this subject needs to be covered more thoroughly in beginner's books such as this. But performance is not entirely ignored. There is a good introductory chapter on indexing in the book that introduces the topic well.

If you are the type of person who learns by doing, and you want to learn the basics of Transact-SQL, then I highly recommend this book. Once you have mastered it, then you will be ready for much more complete and advanced book on SQL Server application development, such as Professional SQL Server 2000 Programming.