Beginning SQL Server 2000 Programming review

Database work is traditionally highly compartmentalised: database designers build databases, administrators look after them and never the twain shall meet. So, what do database programmers do? Well, given the title and contents of this book, you could reasonably reply 'everything'. Herein you'll find information on installing SQL Server, using the Query Analyser, database design, creating and modifying tables, indexing, backup and restore, maintenance, data manipulation, views, stored procedures, XML and triggers.

Some might see this comprehensive list as highly provocative because much of this material falls within the remit of others. Backup and restore, for example, is the preserve of the database administrator; database design belongs, by definition, to the designer.

So does this book miss its mark? Well, it isn't that simple. A database programmer is required to write programs that interact with the data. In order to write such programs, they clearly have to have a broad understanding of the areas covered - broader than some of their colleagues. In other words, I'd expect any database programmer I employed to have the information contained within this book already installed in their brains as background material. On that criteria, the contents are perfectly justified.

On the other hand, if I was an aspiring database programmer, had the right background and was looking for a book about programming SQL Server 2000, I'd be disappointed by the contents. I'd expect more focus on programming areas such as SQL as a language, plus creating and maintaining the triggers and stored procedures that implement the business rules.

Whatever you feel about the material, the style in which it's presented is highly commendable. Dewson writes in a friendly and direct way, which is perfectly suited to the 'programmer to programmer' series into which this book fits.

This is a case of right book, wrong title - 'Background Information For Aspiring Database Programmers' would have been a more accurate (but obviously less snappy) title. I highly recommend this book to those who need a readable and friendly introduction to SQL Server 2000, but sadly, it doesn't focus on programming as much as the title suggests.

Author: Mark Whitehorn