Murach's SQL for SQL Server

Provides an introduction to SQL and relational databases, explains how to write SQL queries, discusses database design and implementation using SQL DDL statements or the Enterprise Manager, and covers advanced SQL skills.

To be an effective database programmer, you need to master SQL for the database you’re going to be using. So this is first a book for programmers who use Microsoft SQL Server. However, but it is also a great book for anyone who wants to learn standard SQL, because its CD includes everything you need for running SQL on your own PC.

In section 1, you’ll learn the concepts and terms you need for working with any database. You’ll also learn how to use the Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine (MSDE) and the client tools for SQL Server 2000 that come on the CD. Then, you’ll be able to run SQL statements on your own PC. At that point, you’ll be prepared for rapid progress as you learn SQL.

In section 2, you’ll learn all the skills for retrieving data from a database and for adding, updating, and deleting that data. These skills move from the simple to the complex so you won’t have any trouble if you’re a SQL novice. And they present skills like using outer joins, summary queries, and subqueries that will raise your SQL expertise if you do have SQL experience.

In section 3, you’ll learn how to design a database and how to implement that design by using either SQL DDL (Data Definition Language) statements or the Enterprise Manager that comes with SQL Server. When you’re done, you’ll be able to design and implement your own databases. But even if you’re never called upon to do that, this section will give you perspective that will make you a better SQL programmer.

To complete your SQL skills, section 4 presents the skills for working with database features like views, stored procedures, functions, triggers, cursors, and transactions. These are the features that give a database management system much of its power. So once you master them, you’ll have a powerful set of SQL skills.