Read an Excerpt
IntroductionIntroduction
Microsoft® SQL Server has become one of the most popular database management systems in the world. From small development projects to some of the best-known and most prestigious sites on the Web, SQL Server has proven itself to be a solid, reliable, fast, and trusted solution to all sorts of data-storage needs.
This book is based on my best-selling book Sams Teach Yourself SQL in 10 Minutes, which has become one of the most-used SQL tutorials in the world, with an emphasis on teaching what you really need to know, methodically, systematically, and simply. But as popular and as successful as that book is, it does have some limitations:
In covering all the major DBMSs, coverage of DBMS-specific features and functionality had to be kept to a minimum.
To simplify the SQL taught, the lowest common denominator had to be found; SQL statements that would (as much as possible) work with all major DBMSs. This requirement necessitated that better DBMS-specific solutions not be covered.
Although basic SQL tends to be rather portable between DBMSs, more advanced SQL most definitely is not. As such, that book could not cover advanced topics, such as triggers, cursors, stored procedures, access control, transactions, and more in any real detail.
And that is where this book comes in. Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft® SQL Server T-SQL in 10 Minutes builds on the proven tutorials and structure of Sams Teach Yourself SQL in 10 Minutes, without getting bogged down with anything but Transact-SQL (T-SQL, for short). It starts with simple data retrieval and works on to more complex topics, including the use of joins,subqueries, full text-based searches, functions and stored procedures, cursors, triggers, table constraints,
Note: Written for SQL Server 2005 - This book was written with SQL Server 2005 in mind, and covers features and technologies new to that version of the software. However, with the exception of two lessons, the content and lessons can be used with earlier versions of SQL Server, including SQL Server 2000.
So turn to Lesson 1, "Understanding SQL," and get to work. You'll be taking advantage of all SQL Server has to offer in no time at all.Who Is This Book For?
This book is for you if...
You are new to SQL.
You are just getting started with SQL Server and want to hit the ground running.
You want to quickly learn how to get the most out of SQL Server and T-SQL.
You want to learn how to use T-SQL in your own application development.
You want to be productive quickly and easily using SQL Server without having to call someone for help.
This book has a companion website online at http://forta.com/books/0672328674/.
Visit the site to access the following:
Table creation and population scripts used to create the sample tables used throughout this book
The online support forum
Online errata (should one be required)
Other books that may be of interest to you
This book uses different typefaces to differentiate between code and regular English, and also to help you identify important concepts.
Text that you type and text that should appear on your screen is presented in monospace type. It looks like this to mimic the way text looks on your screen.
Placeholders for variables and expressions appear in monospace italic font. You should replace the placeholder with the specific value it represents.
This arrow (¬) at the beginning of a line of code means that a single line of code is too long to fit on the printed page. Continue typing all the characters after the ¬ as though they were part of the preceding line.
Note - A note presents interesting pieces of information related to the surrounding discussion.
Tip - A tip offers advice or teaches an easier way to do something.
Caution - A caution advises you about potential problems and helps you steer clear of disaster.
Plain English: New Term icons provide clear definitions of new, essential terms.
Input
Input identifies code that you can type in yourself. It usually appears next to a listing.
Output
Output highlights the output produced by running T-SQL code. It usually appears after a listing.
Analysis
Analysis alerts you to the author's line-by-line analysis of input or output.
© Copyright Pearson Education. All rights reserved.