Just published:
Murach’s SQL Server 2005 for Developers

Mike Murach and Associates has just published a 2005 edition of their bestselling SQL book, now entitled Murach’s SQL Server 2005 for Developers. It teaches how to create SQL queries and take advantage of powerful DBMS features (like cursors, views, and stored procedures) the way the best professionals do.

This includes coverage of new or enhanced 2005 features, like SQL statements for XML data handling and error processing, new data types, the Management Studio, the CLR (Common Language Runtime) integration feature that allows database objects to be created in .NET languages like C# and Visual Basic, and more. But beyond that, this book has several features that make it different from other SQL books.

#1: It’s written for application developers
Most SQL books are written for database administrators (DBAs) so developers pass them by, not realizing all there is to gain by knowing SQL better. But this book shows application developers the power that’s available to them through SQL so they can create business applications that handle database data more effectively.

#2: It starts off with how to query a database, not how to design one
Many SQL books start off with database design and performance. But if you’re an application developer, the first thing you need to know is how to write queries. So that’s the focus of the first 8 chapters in this book. It starts with simple queries, then moves on to complex inner and outer joins, summary queries, and subqueries that do more of the database processing for you so that your applications can do less.

At that point, this book shows how to create and implement a database. This material is helpful for developers who have to set up small systems on their own. And it provides a solid introduction to DBA skills for those interested in that career path.

#3: It teaches both SQL coding and how to use the Management Studio
The Management Studio, new in SQL Server 2005, provides a powerful IDE for querying, designing, and manipulating SQL Server databases. But of course, under the surface, the SQL statements are at work.

So instead of focusing solely on using the Management Studio…or on using SQL statements…this book teaches both. By understanding the underlying SQL statements, developers can use the Management Studio more easily and efficiently.

#4: Coding examples show how to take advantage of advanced features, as well as how to create queries
One key to mastering SQL is to have plenty of coding examples that show how the features work and what problems may occur as they’re used in everyday applications. And these examples become more crucial as the code becomes more complex.

So besides showing sample code for all types of queries, this book also provides code for database maintenance jobs, for using backend features like cursors and stored procedures, and for coding C# projects that create database objects using CLR integration. This code…as well as the VB code for the CLR projects…can be downloaded for free from the Murach web site.

#5: The paired-pages format lets developers set their own pace
Murach books have a distinctive format. Each two-page spread presents a single topic: the lefthand page explains the topic, while the righthand page shows the critical details, using syntax, code, screen shots, and how-to notes. Both beginning and experienced developers find that this format makes it easy to focus on the information they need, whether they’re using the book for training or reference.

Murach’s SQL Server 2005 for Developers is available directly from the publisher at www.murach.com and from all major retail outlets.

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