Microsoft SQL Server 2008 introduces new geography and geometry spatial datatypes that enable the storage of structured data describing the shape and position of objects in space. This is an interesting and exciting new feature, with many potentially useful applications. Beginning Spatial with SQL Server 2008 covers everything you need to know to begin using these new spatial datatypes, and explains how to apply them in practical situations involving the spatial relationships of people, places, and things on the earth. All of the spatial concepts introduced are explained from the ground up, so you need not have any previous knowledge of working with spatial data. Every section is illustrated with code examples that you can use directly in SQL Server. All of the topics covered in this book apply to all versions of SQL Server 2008, including the freely available SQL Server 2008 Express. What you’ll learn Understand the fundamental concepts involved in working with spatial data, including spatial references and coordinate systems. Apply these concepts in the collection and storage of spatial data in SQL Server 2008, using the new geometry and geography field types. Create different types of spatial data objects—points, lines, and polygons—and use these to describe real–world objects. Learn how to analyze spatial data using a range of supported methods, and be aware of a number of different practical applications for these methods. Be shown how to integrate SQL Server with other tools, such as Microsoft Virtual Earth, to display a visual representation of spatial data. Know how to ensure the performance of spatially enabled databases by creating appropriate spatial indexes. Who this book is for SQL Server developers who wish to use spatial data in Microsoft SQL Server 2008.

Beginning SQL Server 2008 Express for Developers: From Novice to Professional takes a developer, and even a database administrator, from knowing nothing about SQL Server 2008 Express Edition to being ready to design and build a fully functioning system that is secure, reliable, maintainable, and robust. The Express Edition of SQL Server is a free resource commonly used by students, developers of small systems, and those transferring skills from other databases. This book focuses on the features within the Express Edition and therefore will not confuse readers with coverage of features found only in the Development Edition. By the end of the book, readers will be ready to move on to Accelerated SQL Server 2008 as well as other books within the Apress SQL Server lineup such as Pro SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services. Covers using the free Express Edition of SQL Server Describes creating a database from scratch and builds on this Provides an understanding of SQL Server Express 2008, allowing you to build future solutions for you and your business

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.

Microsoft SQL Server implements extensive support for location-based data. Pro Spatial with SQL Server 2012 introduces SQL Server’s spatial feature set, and covers everything you'll need to know to store, manipulate, and analyze information about the physical location of objects in space. You’ll learn about the geography and geometry datatypes, and how to apply them in practical situations involving the spatial relationships of people, places, and things on Earth. Author Alastair Aitchison first introduces you to SQL Server’s spatial feature set and the fundamental concepts involved in working with spatial data, including spatial references and co-ordinate systems. You’ll learn to query, analyze, and interpret spatial data using tools such as Bing Maps and SQL Server Reporting Services. Throughout, you'll find helpful code examples that you can adopt and extend as a basis for your own projects. Explains spatial concepts from the ground up—no prior knowledge is necessary Provides comprehensive guidance for every stage of working with spatial data, from importing through cleansing and storing, to querying, and finally for retrieval and display of spatial data in an application layer Brilliantly illustrated with code examples that run in SQL Server 2012, that you can adapt and use as the basis for your own projects.

Expert SQL Server 2008 Development is aimed at SQL Server developers ready to move beyond Books Online. Author and experienced developer Alastair Aitchison shows you how to think about SQL Server development as if it were any other type of development. You’ll learn to manage testing in SQL Server and to properly deal with errors and exceptions. The book also covers critical, database-centric topics such as managing concurrency and securing your data and code through proper privileges and authorization. Alastair places focus on sound development and architectural practices that will help you become a better developer, capable of designing high-performance, robust, maintainable database applications. He shows you how to apply notable features in SQL Server such as encryption and support for hierarchical data. If developing for SQL Server is what puts the bread on your table, you can do no better than to read this book and to assimilate the expert-level practices that it provides. Promotes expert-level practices Leads to high performance, scalable code Improves productivity, getting you home in time for dinner

Even if you have little or no knowledge of T-SQL, Beginning T-SQL 2008 will bring you up to intermediate level and teach you best practices along the way. You'll learn how to write code that will help you to achieve the best-performing applications possible. You'll find an introduction to databases, normalization, and SQL Server Management Studio. You'll understand how data is stored in a database and learn how to use at least one of the available tools to get to that data. Each subsequent chapter teaches an aspect of T-SQL, building on the skills learned in previous chapters. Exercises are included in each chapter because the only way to learn T-SQL is to write some code. This book will do more than just give the syntax and examples. It will teach you techniques to help you avoid common errors and create robust and well-performing code. Imparts best practices for writing T-SQL Helps readers avoid common errors Shows how to write scalable code that yields good performance

SQL Server 2008 Query Performance Tuning Distilled presents a direct trouble–shooting methodology for identifying poorly-performing stored procedures and queries, isolating the causes of that poor performance, and fixing the underlying problems. Each chapter is dedicated to one of the top causes of poorly performing queries and shows methods for identifying and dealing with the problems in that chapter's domain. Emphasis is always put upon or placed upon practical methods that you can put to immediate use in your day–to–day work. SQL Server 2008 functionality, tips, and tricks are emphasized in each subject area. Emphasizes the practical. Does not bury readers in theory. Gives readers practical techniques to immediately apply in their daily work. Dedicates a chapter to each of the most common, performance–related problem areas.