Beginning SQL Server 2000 Programming

Aimed at those starting out with SQL Server databases as programmers or administrators, Beginning SQL Server 2000 Programming can put basic database skills in reach for readers of all levels. Packed with screen shots of how to use the relevant SQL Server tools and wizards, this book sets a high standard for accessibility for a tutorial text on Microsoft databases.

Most titles use screen shots to at least guide readers through installation of computer software and then turn to a more text-based presentation style later on. Not so with this text, which has several hundred screen shots used throughout showing SQL Server tools in action. After covering how to install and configure SQL Server (a trial edition is including on the accompanying CD), the author continues to show off tools like Enterprise Manager and Query Analyzer at work with plenty of step-by-step, hands-on tutorials with plentiful screen shots.

This book walks you through designing and creating a simple database (one that stores results for a golf league). In most every case, the author shows off using a tool alongside a more "manual" approach using SQL to get the job done. (For example, there's step-by-step coverage of how to create tables and indexes using Enterprise Manager, as well as how to do the same tasks using raw SQL in Query Analyzer.) Along the way, there is a solid tutorial to basic SQL for querying, inserting, updating, and deleting data, plus a good introduction to stored procedures and triggers. The strong sections on backing up and restoring databases are all you need to get started with basic database administration in SQL Server. Besides nuts-and-bolts DBA tasks, this book also offers a quick introduction to XML support available on the Microsoft database platform. The text closes with a handy listing of all T-SQL keywords, plus a guide to security options and settings available in SQL Server.

In all, this hands-on guide to database essentials can let you start effectively administering and programming with SQL Server regardless of your level of database experience. --Richard Dragan

Topics Covered:

• SQL Server 2000 versions explained
• Hardware requirements
• Installing SQL Server
• Database administration tools (including Enterprise Manager and Server Manager)
• Query Analyzer tutorial
• Basic database analysis and design (defining fields and normalization)
• Creating databases (including a sample database for golf league results)
• Creating tables (NULL values and SQL data types)
• Indexes (design hints, clustered, and nonclustered indexes)
• Referential integrity
• Foreign keys
• Table relationships (one-to-one, one-to-many, and many-to-many joins)
• Database diagrams
• Backups and recovery (using wizards and generating SQL scripts)
• Automated maintenance and planning
• Basic T-SQL tutorial
• Inserting data (including image data)
• Retrieving data (including filters and string functions)
• Updating data (plus transactions)
• Deleting data (including truncating and dropping tables)
• Using views and stored procedures (including system variables and system stored procedures)
• XML basics
• Publishing XML data on the Web
• Using triggers
• Reference to T-SQL functions and security options