Murach's SQL Server 2012 for Developers

When we published the first edition ofthis book, we heard from plenty of developers who were just starting out usingMicrosoft SQL Server and found this to be a great book for training.

But we also heard from a lot ofexperienced developers who read it and were amazed to discover how much they didn't know about SQL.That's why we've dubbed this book "the SQL bookthat most developers don't even know they need."

So whether you're new to SQL...orwhether you've been squeaking by with the SQL you know, never realizing howmuch you're missing out on...this is the book for you.

For example, you'lllearn:

• How to create 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
• What the different data types are and how to handle the common problems you run into with various types of data
• How to use built-in functions to handle everyday challenges like manipulating character data, rounding numbers, and working with date/time values
• How to work with XML data
• How to take advantage of powerful backend database features like views, scripts, stored procedures, and triggers
• How to deal with database control features like cursors, transactions, and locking
• How to use the FILESTREAM storage feature to work efficiently with binary large objects (BLOBs), such as image, sound, and video files
• The basics of database design and implementation using the Management Studio or SQL DDL statements (you can write more efficient queries when you know something about database design...and you'll start to see what your DBA has to think about, if that's a career path that interests you)
• How to use the CLR integration feature to create database objects by using SSDT (SQL Server Data Tools) with C# or Visual Basic

Whothis book is for

I think it's fair to say that most developers don't know enough about SQL andthe database management system they're using. As one customer put it, "Iknow just enough about SQL Server to be a little bit dangerous!"

That's why developers often code SQLstatements that don't perform as efficiently as they ought to. That's why theyaren't able to code some of the queries that they need for their applications.That's why they don't take advantage of all the features that SQL Server has tooffer.

And that's why this book should berequired reading for every application programmer who uses SQL Server. Beyondthat, this is the right first book for anyone whowants to become a database administrator. Of course, if you want to become aDBA, you'll need to continue your study of SQL Server's advanced features afteryou finish this book...but you'll be well-prepared to go on.

What are the prerequisites for usingthis book?

Everything you need to know about databases and SQL is presented in this book.However, you'll get more out of chapter 20 (BLOBs) and section 5 (on CLRintegration) if you have some programming experience with a .NET language likeC# or Visual Basic.

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