While there are plenty of screen shots showing graphical SQL Server tools, the focus of this book is clearly on learning real command-line Transact-SQL (T-SQL). The authors provide a patient and very thorough tour of T-SQL with full coverage of both basic and advanced features. You'll learn how to define new tables, manage users in groups, as well as perform all kinds of queries. Stand-out material includes an excellent guide to SQL data types and how to choose the right one for your needs. When it comes to queries, the book does a great job of exploring all your options for joining relational data, as well as grouping data for more advanced reporting. True to its title, Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Programming by Example is filled with dozens of examples of SQL commands (and the results) so that you can try out this material for yourself and really learn the language thoroughly.

Later on, the authors turn toward server-side programming with a digestible guide to creating stored procedures and triggers. The book closes with an in-depth guide to the issues regarding cursors (for working with table data), transactions and locking. Sections on bulk copy tools and the Microsoft Data Transformation Services (DTS) show how to move data around the enterprise. A final section of distributed queries and linked servers will help you work with different sources of data wherever it resides in your organisation.

Despite some stilted writing, the comprehensive examples in this book make it a success. It will let anyone start using basic T-SQL for the first time, as well as teach more advanced readers to master the finer points of Microsoft databases. --Richard Dragan

Product Description

SQL Server 2000 Programming by Example provides clear and concise examples of basic programming techniques used in SQL Server 2000 primarily using Transact-SQL. Even if you're a complete novice to SQL Server 2000 programming, you will benefit by reading through the book's logical process. SQL Server 2000 is introduced and explored, database structure is designed and built, and finally a variety of programming techniques are studied and reviewed. If you are already familiar with SQL Server 2000 programming, you may use the book as a quick reference guide that provides plenty of pertinent examples.