MCITP SQL Server 2005

I recommend The MCITP SQL Server 2005 Database Administrator Core Requirements book set to anyone preparing for the certification. These books provided me with invaluable knowledge & helped me pass all three exams on the first try.

I started my certification by reading The SQL Server 2005 Implementation and Maintenance. I also utilized a Transcender preparation exam. For the 70-431 I did not use the test included with the books. It took me 2 1/2 half days to read the book & take over and over the Transcender preparation exam.

I then continued with exam 70-443 by reading the Designing a Database Server Infrastructure Using SQL Server 2005. I read the book for 1 ½ day and took the practice exams included with the books at least 8 times. Even though I feel the preparation for this exam was easier, the exam itself was the hardest.

The final one, Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Administration Solution Using SQL Server 2005 took me 1 ½ days to prepare for; same as the 70-443. It was the longest exam of the three & I feel it was the easiest. I believe it was because the order, in which I took the exams, made it so much attainable given that the information of the previous test was always part of the subsequent ones.

T-SQL Programming

I purchased my copy back in 1999 and it is one of my favorite SQL books. I find the information very accurate and relevant to the MS SQL versions (6.5 & 7.0) printed on the cover of the book. I think it was the best SQL book for many years. Since 1999, many books for newer versions of database servers have been published.

For some reason, many people who wrote bad reviews about this book were looking for MS SQL 2000 information -the cover states the versions covered in the book.

There are many newer books that cover MS SQL 2000. One of my favorites is SQL Server 2000 Programming from Robert Vieira.

70-229 Exam Cram

If you have several years experience with MS SQL 2000 you may be able to pass the 70-229 with this book only. A great way to measure your readiness is by taking the test that comes included in the CD. If you pass it with an 85 or above, I’ll say you’re ready. If you don’t, this book should be enough to prepare you for the test.

I also discovered that this book is a compressed regurgitation of the “MCSE SQL Server 2000 Database Design and Implementation Training Guide” (ISBN 0789729970) written by the same author a few years earlier. I definitely recommend the Exam Cram 2 instead of the one mentioned in this paragraph.

One thing I found very interesting is that the questions in the CD are extremely similar to the ones in the actual test. It will definitely give you a good sense of what the test is going to be like. Make sure you pass 3 practice tests with 85 or above before you go and take the real test.

Good luck!

SQL Server 2000 Programming

By far, this is the best overall MS SQL 2000 server book written until today. Most topics are covered from basic to advance level. This book is a must have for anyone who is looking to get a well rounded knowledge of what’s possible with MS SQL 2000.

The chapters I liked the most are:
Ch9 SQL Server Storage and Index Structures
Ch10 Views
Ch12 Stored Procedures
Ch15 Triggers
Ch16 Advanced Queries
Ch26 Full-Text Search
Ch29 Performance Tuning
All Appendixes

Noticed that I said “best overall” & “Most topics”; this book will not have an answer for very advance topics in areas like DTS, performance tuning, XML, & Analysis Services. There are great books out there if what you are looking for is not in Professional SQL Server 2000 Programming. The “Professional SQL Server 2000 DTS” is the best I have read when it comes to Data Transformation Services. For performance tuning and XML you may find books written by Ken Henderson to be among the best. For Analysis Services I have not found one book I will recommend yet.

Extreme Programming

This guide is very concise & straight to the point. Do not be fool by its size. Team and project managers along with business analysts should find this guide very useful. This pocket book is an easy read that packs enough meat to get you going with Extreme Programming. It is written for anyone who is interested on knowing about XP.

By the end of the book you’ll have a clear understanding of why use XP programming, practices, events, roles, code principles & style. Best of all, it provides you with clear examples and suggestions on how to adopt this methodology.