SQL Server

Microsoft��� SQL Server��� 2008 T-SQL Fundamentals (PRO-Developer)
$49.99
I am not new to T-SQL, got this book for picking up some missing parts of the language that I am not familiar with

Frankly, I dont like the presentation/writing style of this book, for

1. Guess english is not authors first language.

2. This book uses quite some quirky terms( invented by authors himself) that haven't been used elsewhere but this book, such as "Logical Precedence Among rows". If you google "Logical Precedence", all the pages will refer to things about this guy..What the hell?? these awkward terms make some of the simple ideas more difficult to get.

3. Basically, T-SQL is based on ANSI SQL, and SQL itself is based on relational algebra as well as semantics of your business requirements. This book talks too much about syntax details of in microscope level, while too little on how to interpret the business demands in elegant T-SQL. i.e. how to map it into algebra equation.

This book separates join and intersection things into 2 chapters, which might not seem to be necessary for my part.

Hardly can say this book is enjoyable to read, but its OK for a T-SQL supplement.

Microsoft��� SQL Server��� 2008 Internals (Pro - Developer)
$59.99
Before getting into more details I'll tell you if this book is for you or not: if you are a MS-SQL DBA get this book. If you are a programmer or you are looking for quick solutions to common problems, this book is not for you.

This one reminds me Edward Whalen's book: Microsoft��� SQL Server(TM) 2005 Administrator's Companion. The style and purpose are quite similar, but Kalen is a bit more technical here. On this book, she explains how the things work inside the MS-SQL 2008 engine and I should say, she did a good job. Inside you will find explanations about how SQL2008 acts when you run a transaction, a query, insert a value on a table or what is the lock mechanism that the product uses and how we can take advantage of all and every of these features or, in the other hand, create problems if we don't use them correctly. Is like learning how your car works before learn how to drive it ;-) after all, you need to know how to check your car's oil no matter how good or bad are yours mechanical abilities, no?

I have not finished the book yet but so far, the Database (chapter 3) and Logging (chapter 4) are my favorites chapters. Those explain basic concepts but give you strong foundations for important things like Transaction Log backups or the meaning and purpose of the very important system databases: master, model, msdb (and the new and hidden, resource database) The author(s) also mentions among chapters the use of Catalog Views and DMVs, which were previously introduced on SQL2005. There are short examples about of how to get advantage of some of them and what kind of database or system information we can retrieve executing them.

Why not 5 stars? well, 1st, there is no pdf or electronic format and also let me be honest, the differences between SQL2005 and SQ2008 are minimal -- trust me, I use both products at work all days and we do have thousand of databases at my job, I work for the largest IT company in the world after Microsoft :-) -- Besides Backup Compression, the new and improved SQL2008 failover capabilities, not much changed between both versions. The recovery process is the same, the system databases are the same, the Index's behavior is the same, not a big change really. So, if you already bought a nice SQL2005 book like the one I mentioned before by Edward Whalen maybe you can skip this one and save couple of dollars; most of the information here can be found on Books Online for free, of course, just in an different and boring writing style.

In a short, the book is a good resource if you really want to know what's under the hood. It will give you solid foundations to your dba skills, because once you understand what SQL2008 is doing behind scenes your troubleshooting techniques can and will change accordingly. You will get some confidence and stop being just a point-and-click MS-SQL dba

Beginning SQL Server 2008 for Developers: From Novice to Professional
$49.99
A mi parecer este libro servira para el desarrollo de bases de datos en entorno MS SQL Server de una manera muy simple que esta explicado con buenos ejemplos. Esta muy bien en como disenar bases de datos y como programarlo.

By: Ronald Estuardo Colin

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Muy bueno para poder empezar con las bases de datos SQL Server.

By: Aldo leonel Ventura Yat

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Es muy interesante y me motiva a aprender el lenguaje SQL. Me comprometo firmemembe en aprender y compartir lo que pueda del libro. Este material es de suma importancia y esta muy bien organizado.

By: Miguel Angel Chocooj de la Cruz

Beginning SQL Server 2005 Programming (Programmer to Programmer)
$39.99
I found this book too slow and not covering enough information. Then again, I realize the spped of relaying the information via a book is a bit of a personal thing. I also would have loved to have a lot more examples. I prefer a much more hands on method.