Introduction

As always, Murach publishing updates their books as and when a new version of the software is released. SQL Server 2008 for Developers is an updated book of its 2005 edition. The book consists of 22 chapters divided into five sections providing solid coverage of SQL Server 2008. The book looks similar to that of its 2005 edition except the content and syntaxes targets 2008.

Inside the Book

Section 1 provides a crisp introduction to relational databases including various SQL statements. It also demonstrates the usage of SQL with the help of an ADO.NET application. The section also provides the usage of various aspects of SQL Server Management Studio. The chapters in section 2 provide a detailed coverage of Summary query, Subquery, Datatypes and functions. You will learn the procedure involved with the retrieval of data from tables and also the various aspects involved with inserting, updating and deletion of data.

While Section 3 provides a comprehensive coverage of database design and its usage and implementation with SQL Server Management Studio, Section 4 examines the working of Views, Scripts, Stored Procedures, Functions, Triggers, Cursors, XML and BLOBS including management of transactions, locking and database security.

Section 5 provides a brief overview of CLR integration including the usage of CLR Stored procedure, functions, triggers, aggregate function and user defined types. I hope these topics will be useful for advanced developers. The book includes three appendixes including a list of coding and syntax conventions. I would suggest the author provides a list of errors which may occur during the installation and usage of SQL Server 2008.

Each section begins with a detailed introduction followed by relevant syntax, examples, and screenshot of output and ends with a concise description in bulleted format. I feel readers will find it easy to go through the bulleted list rather than reading a lengthy paragraph. The book will be useful only if you have time to go through detailed content provided with each concept.

The book will be useful for instructors who impart training for students and I would suggest computer training centers keep a copy of the book on their library bookshelves. This book will not be useful for advanced developers and database administrators who are already well versed with SQL Server 2008. I would suggest the author provides a list of new features included with SQL Server 2008 so that developers can compare it with SQL Server 2005.

Conclusion

If you have read the previous edition of the book then you should buy the new edition to update yourself. From my point of view, it is always better to refer to a book rather than spending time online to get information about syntax updates and also to know about the new features included with SQL Server 2008.

About the Reviewer

Anand Narayanaswamy (Microsoft MVP and Technical Editor, ASPAlliance) is the author of Community Server Quickly.

About the Book