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(55 reviews)
Author: Visit Amazon's Itzik Ben-Gan Page
ISBN : 0735666059
New from $43.79
Format: PDF, EPUB
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About the Author
Itzik Ben-Gan is a mentor and cofounder of SolidQ. A Microsoft MVP for SQL Server since 1999, Ben-Gan teaches and consults internationally on T-SQL querying, programming, and query tuning. He is the author of Microsoft SQL Server T-SQL Fundamentals and coauthor of Inside Microsoft SQL Server: T-SQL Querying and Inside Microsoft SQL Server:T-SQL Programming. He has written numerous articles for SQL Server Magazine and MSDN, and speaks at industry events such as Microsoft TechEd, DevWeek, PASS, and SQL Server Connections.
Dejan Sarka is a mentor with SolidQ and focuses on development of database and business intelligence applications. He is a frequent speaker at international conferences such as TechEd, SqlDevCon, and PASS. He is the founder of the Slovenian SQL Server and .NET Users Group. As main author or coauthor, Dejan has written nine books about SQL Server. He has also developed three courses for SolidQ: Data Modeling Essentials, Data Quality and Master Data Management, and Data Mining.
Ron Talmage is a mentor with SolidQ. He is a SQL Server MVP, PASS Northwest US Regional Mentor, and current Chapter Leader of the Redmond-based Pacific Northwest SQL Server Users Group. He has been involved with SQL Server since version 4.21a, and has contributed to numerous SQL Server white papers and articles. His current focus is on database administration for relational data warehouses using SQL Server.
Books with free ebook downloads available Free Training Kit (Exam 70-461): Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Paperback
- Paperback: 752 pages
- Publisher: Microsoft Press; Pap/Cdr edition (December 12, 2012)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0735666059
- ISBN-13: 978-0735666054
- Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 1.4 x 9 inches
- Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Free Training Kit : Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012
I've been using SQL Server at work for a couple of years now, but I'm not a DBA; I mostly just run simple queries to test that data was loaded correctly by our ETL process. This year I'm leading a small group of coworkers who want to become more proficient in SQL Server, so we're studying for the MCSA in SQL Server 2012. This certification requires passing exams in three areas; the material on the first exam, 70-461, is the subject of this book.
The book starts out with the obligatory disclaimers: real-world experience is required to pass the exam, and you should already understand how to write a query and run it, even if you don't know the fine details. Naturally, you'll need a copy of SQL Server 2012 (a trial copy is fine). The book comes with a CD containing practice tests, an PDF of the text, and a copy of the scripts (which can also be downloaded from O'Reilly). Finally, the book includes a coupon code for 15% off any Microsoft Certified Professional Program exam; the tests normally run $150, so that's probably a $22.50 savings if you plan to take the exam.
Before getting into the code, we start off with Chapter 1: Foundations of Querying, where we learn a little about set theory and the difference between standard SQL and Microsoft's T-SQL. (Incidentally, if you're trying to do a search for how to do something in SQL Server and want to avoid getting results from other flavors of SQL, searching in T-SQL is a good way to do it.) Chapter two brings in some code: the select statement. At this point, you'll need to have installed the TSQL2012 database (which, as mentioned, is a free download). With the basics down, chapters three through seven discuss various ways of querying and managing the data, including filtering, sorting, combining, and grouping.
1st, a small disclaimer...
At the time of this review, 12/13/12 I have not finished reading or studying this book yet; as a matter of fact, I challenge any person or reviewer saying he or she has finished the book, as frankly speaking would be difficult or impossible to believe. However, I decided to jump ahead and give my honest review from what I've read so far. I have no business relationship with any of the authors whatsoever.
Having said that, I like this book so far. It is way, way better than its previous version. It goes more in-depth and gives a more holistic approach to T-SQL. I'll explain that in a few.
So far, i've read: Chapter 1, which is an intro to what set theory is. Chapter 2, which is about SELECT statements. Chapter 15, which is about Indexes and Chapter 17, which is about optimization. All those cover the basics and more about what you need for your day to day job and to fully understand T-SQL and their proper usage. The Index and Optimization chapters have plenty of illustrations and the concepts are exposed in a clear but concise manner.
Each chapter, as the typical MS cert books, has questions an answers but there are also lot of labs with exercises and T-SQL queries to play with. You only need a SQL2012 instance (any flavor) to practice.
I consider this book a hybrid between Itzik's bestseller, T-SQL fundamentals and previous SQL query book from Microsoft. This new version keeps its simplicity while going more in detail and giving a non proprietary and holistic approach to what T-SQL is or should be.
I've been reading Itzik's books for several years now and he has improved his writing skills a lot.