This book is written for SQL Server 2008. However, it does maintain roots going back a few versions and looks out for backward compatibility issues with SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2000. These versions are old enough that there is little to no time spent on them except in passing. The book is oriented around developing on SQL server. Most of the concepts are agnostic to what client language you use although the examples that leverage a client language general do so in C#. For those who are migrating from early versions of SQL Server, some “gotchas” that exist any time a product has versions are discussed to the extent that they seem to be a genuinely relevant issue. This book assumes that you have some experience with SQL Server and are at an intermediate to advanced level. The orientation of the book is highly developer focused. While there is a quick reference-oriented appendix, there is very little coverage given to beginner level topics. It is assumed that you already have experience with data manipulation language (DML) statements and know the basics of the mainstream SQL Server objects (views, stored procedures, user defined functions, etc.). If you would like to brush up on your knowledge before diving into this book, the author recommends reading Beginning SQL Server 2008 Programming first. There is very little overlap between the Beginning and Professional books and they are designed to work as a pair.

This book features practical steps to help overcome issues that are likely to be encountered. Included are - how to use SQL for querying, inserting, updating, and deleting data, and how to back up and restore databases for basic administration in SQL Server. Also included is how to build a complete database, from fundamentals of relational database design to table and index creation.· SQL Server 2005 Overview and Installation· SQL Server Management Studio· Database Design and Creation· Security· Defining Tables· Creating Indexes and Database Diagramming· Database Backups, Recovery and Maintenance· Working with the Data· Building a View· Stored Procedures· T-SQL Essentials· Advanced T-SQL

After a quick primer on database design basics and the SQL query language (for those programmers who may be building their first database application), this book provides an overview of SQL Server itself, which has been dramatically redesigned with the 2005 release Once readers have grasped the fundamentals of database design and SQL concepts, they will then learn how to implement those concepts with Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Addresses creating and changing tables, managing keys, database normalization, writing scripts, working with stored procedures, programming with XML, and using SQL Server reporting and data transformation services The companion Web site provides all of the code found in the book

SQL Server 2005 offers the capability to write code in a .NET language that can be compiled and run inside SQL Server. CLR Integration, or SQL CLR, lets you create stored procedures, user-defined types, triggers, table valued functions, and aggregates using a .NET managed language. You can read and write to resources outside of SQL Server and enjoy a tighter integration with XML, web services, and simple file and logging capabilities. Here's the reference you'll want on your desk as you develop SQL CLR solutions. It helps you decide whether to use SQL CLR, how to lock down security, and learn from real examples. If you want to develop stored procedures or other objects in .NET for SQL Server 2005, this book offers exactly what you need. What you will learn from this book The concepts and architecture of SQL CLR Uses of .NET namespaces in SQL Server programming tasks How to develop and benchmark routines in T-SQL and .NET to determine when CLR-based solutions are advantageous How to replace extended stored procedures using SQL CLR stored procedures How to use SQL CLR objects in external applications How to restrict and secure SQL CLR object capabilities Processes and procedures for deploying SQL CLR objects Who this book is for This book is for developers and architects who are familiar with .NET concepts as well as DBAs who, although developers in their own right, may be slightly less up to date on .NET. A solid grounding in T-SQL is necessary. Wrox Professional guides are planned and written by working programmers to meet the real-world needs of programmers, developers, and IT professionals. Focused and relevant, they address the issues technology professionals face every day. They provide examples, practical solutions, and expert education in new technologies, all designed to help programmers do a better job.

If you've not programmed with Transact-SQL, this book is for you.It begins with an overview of SQL Server query operations and tools used with T-SQL, and covers both the 2005 and 2008 releases of SQL Server query tools and the query editor. The book then moves to show you how to design and build applications of increasing complexity. Other important tasks covered include full text indexing, optimizing query performance, and application design and security considerations. The companion website also provides all of the code examples from the book.

This comprehensive introduction to SQL Server begins with an overview of database design basics and the SQL query language along with an in-depth look at SQL Server itself Progresses on to a clear explanation of how to implement fundamental concepts with the new 2008 version of SQL Server Discusses creating and changing tables, managing keys, writing scripts, working with stored procedures, programming with XML, using SQL Server Reporting and Integration Services, and more Features updated and new material, including new examples using Microsoft's AdventureWorks sample database

SQL Server 2008 introduces many new features that will change database administration procedures; many DBAs will be forced to migrate to SQL Server 2008. This book teaches you how to develop the skills required to successfully administer a SQL Server 2008 database; no prior experience is required. The material covers system installation and configuration/architecting, implementing and monitoring security controls, configuring and managing network communications, automating administration tasks, disaster prevention and recovery, performance monitoring, optimizing and ensuring high availability, as well as major SQL Server 2008 components including Integration Services, Reporting Services, Analysis Services, and Service Broker.