Sql 2005 questions

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Hi all,

I've now decided to have a pop at the 70-431, whilst I have very little experience of sql we use it at work so the ability to be able to know what im looking at when trying to sort out a sql server would be of great help.

A couple of questions spring to mind, firstly does anyone know of a quick way (preferably free) for creating a front end to a sql database. (dont worry about this one just discovered you can use access as a front end.)

Also can anybody recommend any good sql books (2k5 versions) already have the osborne mgarth one.

 

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Hi
I would recommend the Sybex book for the 70-431 exam I used it and passed. You may struggle a bit having no SQL experience though - reading up on general SQL first might be a better idea.
SQL is basically the same across SQL Server, Oracle etc, although there are some differences. The key thing before starting the 70-431 exam study would be to understand selects with left/right joins and GROUP BY/HAVING, inserts, updates and deletes, and also specific to SQL Server stored procedures and functions.

 

You might find some useful info at http://www.sqlmag.com/

If you're a BCS Member then access the Books24/7 area on your Member login and there's loads of SQL books available to you online for free.

This might be useful too - free training at http://www.developers.net/appdevshowcase/view/3195

There's also a load of stuff on the MS e-learning portal (some may be free) at http://learning.microsoft.com/Manag...b1ea8}:{337eb1e4-98e6-480a-a5fb-8b7b3a282c9c}

HTH !

 

Oracle has PL/SQL and SQL Server has T-SQL, they both include functions and stored procedures but the syntax differs more significantly than in other areas as these areas are not covered by the ANSI SQL-92 standard.

The SQL Server exams cover mostly product features, but basic knowledge of SQL is necessary.

You do not need to create a front end to practice SQL and DB administration, SQL Express is free and has a free management studio.

SQL Express will do for 50% of the exam but there may be some features missing from express that are in the exam.

There are many front ends available for databases both free and commercial, best to use a Standard/Developer/Enterprise SQL evaluation version with the included MS SQL Management Studio for the exam as thats closer to the objectives.

http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2005/en/us/trial-software.aspx
http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2008/en/us/trial-software.aspx

If you are a student consider dreamspark.

70-432 is now available also.

 

IMHO you would benefit from getting an 180-day evaluation copy of the enterprise version of SQL Server 2005/2008 if you don't have access for it to study for the exam - the express edition will lack a lot of the features you need to become familiar with.

I phrased my remark about stored procedures and functions poorly - I should have said study the SQL Server basic syntax for creating them and what can be acheived with them.

It is correct to say that Oracle uses stored procs/functions but the PL/SQL language has features/syntax which do not exist in T-SQL and vice versa so delving too deeply into Oracle PL/SQL wouldn't be helpful I don't think (Oracle PL/SQL is arguably better but thats maybe a matter of opinion). I can't comment on DB2 as back in my mainframe days I never used s.procs

 

thats ok I got a technet direct sub so already have sql enterprise installed on a couple of vm's. thanks for the reminder DS about BCS, didnt think to look in the library.

Some really good tips coming out of this thanks for all your input guys, as I say im just interested in learning something completely new to me.