SQL Server 2005, Microsoft's next-generation data management and analysis solution, represents a huge leap forward. It comes with a myriad of changes that deliver increased security, scalability, and power--making it the complete data package. Used properly, SQL Server 2005 can help organizations of all sizes meet their data challenges head on.

Programming SQL Server 2005 from O'Reilly provides a practical look at this updated version of Microsoft's premier database product. It guides you through all the new features, explaining how they work and how to use them. The first half of the book examines the changes and new features of the SQL Server Engine itself. The second addresses the enhanced features and tools of the platform, including the new services blended into this popular version. Each chapter contains numerous code samples-written in C# and compiled using the Visual Studio 2005 development environment-that show you exactly how to program SQL Server 2005.

Programming SQL Server 2005 can help you:

• Build, deploy, and manage enterprise applications that are more secure, scalable, and reliable

• Maximize IT productivity by reducing the complexity of building, deploying, and managing database applications

• Share data across multiple platforms, applications, and devices to make it easier to connect internal and external systems

Because the goal of Programming SQL Server 2005 is to introduce all facets of Programming SQL Server 2005, it's beneficial to programmers of all levels. The book can be used as a primer by developers with little experience with SQL Server, as a ramp up to the new programming models for SQL Server 2005 for more experienced programmers, or as background and primer to specific concepts.

Any IT professional who wants to learn about SQL Server 2005's comprehensive feature set, interoperability with existing systems, and automation of routine tasks will find the answers in this authoritative guide.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 13 Ratings

Not for the faint of heart - 2006-11-10
Reviewer Rating:
As a new student to the field of SQL Server 2005, I was hoping to obtain a book learning the various methods of programming in SQL Server 2005. I was initially hearted by the first paragraph in the preface:

"You don't need to be an experienced SQL Server 2005 programmer to use this book..."

which is indeed the case if you intend to use it as a paper weight.

The book suspiciously looks like the syntax guide found in most MS products: the procedure name and inputs followed by a description of the inputs. It is not for the beginner/intermediate learner and is somewhat of a disappointment comming from the O'Reilly range ("SQL on SQL Server 2005" is an excellent counter point to the book being reviewed from the same publisher). This book serves mainly as a reference (which on page 7, it clearly states that it is not a reference) to new doctrine in the SQL Server evolution.

Very definitive guide to sql server programming. Topics are up-to-date and well covered. - 2007-11-13
Reviewer Rating:
This book covers nearly all topics on SQL Server programming. It begins with the differences between the SQL Server 2000 and 2005. 2005 has new tools (SSMS, Profiler, BIDS, command line), data types, xml support, and .NET integration. Chapters 1-4 go over these topics in turn. The next series shows the reader how to program using the Visual Studio IDE, deal with XML programming, and web services (Chaptes 5-8). Chapters 9-14 are on programming SQL Server management and reporting tools plus interfacing with the objects exposed by SQL Server through .NET. The remaining chapters are on programming services: SS agent, intergrations services, broker, notification services, and analysis services.

The book is quite thourough and has a large number of examples, code, and pictures for each topic. The book is generally easy to read and well indexed. Programmers will feel right at home with all the extra help provided by the book.

Folks who have no programming experience of any kind will likely struggle with the information in the book. Basic SQL is shown but not explained. It is clear the book is meant for people programming and/or automating SQL Server topics rather than just running basic queries. That being said, the chapter on XML was very helpful even from just a querying point of view. Using XML as a bulk load technique was particuarly useful and turned out to be very fast when loading text based data to the server. Querying XML data was covered by using both FOR XML statements and using XQuery type statements. The chapter sovering SSIS was also very useful as there is not much material on SSIS yet.

This book is a must have for SQL Server DBAs, programmers, and professionals.

Boring and inaccessible - 2007-10-16
Reviewer Rating:
This book is very inaccessible, not because it is too complex, but because it is poorly written. If you'd like to actually learn SQL Server programming I'd recommend Professional SQL Server 2005 Programming (Programmer to Programmer).

A Great Book for Learning New Features - Review of Database Administrator SQLAuthority.com - 2007-09-25
Reviewer Rating:
User does not have to be experience SQL Server 2005 programmer to use this book; as it is designed for users of all levels. This book also suggests that user does not have to be experienced with SQL Server 2000. However, I disagree with that. This book only covers new features of SQL Server 2005. Understanding of fundamental relational database concepts is helpful to digest and accept the concepts introduced in this book.

This book covers following perspective of SQL Server 2005 new features.
* Tools and utilities
* Data types
* T-SQL enhancements
* Programmability enhancements
* XML support
* Native XML web services
* SQL Management Objects
* SQL Server Integration Services
* SQL Server Reporting Services
* SQL Server Notification Services
* SQL Server Service Broker
* Replication Management Objects
* SQL Server Agent
* SQL Server Mobile Edition

The code used in the book is available for download on O'Reilly web site. I always like this as I really do not like to retype examples from the book. Most of the examples of this book use C# code and Visual Studio 2005. One good thing about this book is it uses AdventureWorks sample database, I always prefer book which uses samples database which comes along the SQL Server, this makes it easily useable by developer. This book is also Safari enabled.

Appendix of this book has in depth explanation of the ADO.NET 2.0, which can be quite useful to users interested in the topic. There are very few good books which covers this topic such in depth.

Rating: 4 stars

Summary: This book is quite good for new learning; I enjoy reading it and learning new concepts from this book.

Pinal Dave
Principal Database Administrator
(blog.sqlauthority.com)

One of the best SQL Server programming book. - 2007-07-10
Reviewer Rating:
This is definitely one of my best SQL programming books. It covers the newer programming concepts; such as XML storage and handling in SQL 2005, very well.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is serious about SQL Server 2005 programming.

It also covers CLR programming in SQL Server. Good book.

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