September 02, 2008

One of the goals I'm striving for with SSV is to not only provide videos and instruction, but to help take what people have learned in each video to the 'next level'. And one of the ways that I do that is via the 'References' page/link that accompanies each video. On this page my goal is to provide links to books and other resources that people can use to help build upon what they've already learned. And, more than just provide specific details about which books can help build upon content presented in each video, I also wanted to be able to provide book reviews for some of the books that I'm recommending. Eventually I'll also open it up such that registered users can provide their own reviews as well.

At any rate, this review represents the first of my 'Official' SSV reviews that I'll be posting to the site (more reviews will come later). But feel free to chime in with your own thoughts about this book (or others that I should review) in the comments.

TITLE: Professional SQL Server 2000 Programming.

SUMMARY: A must-have overview of key SQL Server 2000 concepts and principles - along with handy reference material in a well-written and easy to understand book. A real winner.

RATING: 5 / 5
AUTHOR(S): Robert Vieira

REVIEW: One of my first 'real' SQL Server Books was Robert Vieira's 'Professional SQL Server 7.0 Programming'.

What I loved about it was how thorough it was given how comprehensive it's treatment of SQL was. With it I was able to learn all of the basics of authoring queries, and also gained great insights into properly writing sprocs and tackling more complex operations.

Best of all, the author's presentation and tone were very approachable, and I found that the book struck a great balance between teaching concepts and principles while still managing to be a great reference book. (Pulling that off with a technical book is a rare feat.)

With Professional SQL Server 2000 Programming, the author basically re-heats most of the material from his previous book, but adds in tons of additional content for new SQL Server 2000 features - matching his original quality, tone, and approachability - making this book a powerhouse.

I highly recommend this book for beginner to intermediate audiences who are mostly focused on development (though the book does cover architecture and administration as well).

NOTE:
If you'd like to see this book review on the SSV website, you can see it here: Professional SQL Server 2000 Programming