Foreword

Databases are very important to the modern world. Without them we wouldn’t have computers with powerful memories, electronic banking, or even the internet! Many technology experts know that it is software behind the scenes, running everything, but beginners may just assume the process involves magic. But I would like people to know that what is really behind the scenes could be SQL Server.

The idea of a database program can be confusing and daunting to many beginners. While they may be interested in what make modern technology “tick,” finding out that they have to learn a complex computer program may scare them away from the topic forever. But I am here to say that SQL Server doesn’t need to be scary. Just like any subject, the key to learning this complex process is to start at the beginning.

Students and teachers know that learning the basics is key when learning to read, add, and do regular school work. But then a few years later, students try to jump right in the middle of more advanced concepts, which only confuses them more. When learning a subject like SQL Server, it is extremely important to start with the most basic textbook you can find, and then work your way up. And I believe that I can recommend the best SQL Server basics book.

It is Beginning T-SQL, by Scott Shaw and Kathi Kellenberger. I have reviewed this book elsewhere and readers may know that I have nothing but good things to say about it. It breaks down concepts into easy-to-read chapters, with ideas that flow naturally. And every chapter comes with examples and practice problems so that you can get hands-on learning from a textbook. I am very happy to announce that this is an even newer version of one of my favorite books.

Anyone who has read this book before may also notice that it has been updated to include features from Denali T-SQL. These updates are not isolated to a single chapter, but are sprinkled throughout the book wherever it might be important to know what’s going on in Denali. This means readers will be picking up extra knowledge without having to read extra pages, or even an extra book.

There is also a brand new chapter (Chapter 8) that covers working with XML. If you are a beginner, don’t let the frightening acronyms scare you away. You will have more than enough knowledge under your belt by the time you get to Chapter 8 to master the concept quickly and easily.

And for those of you who might be concerned that there is a whole extra chapter, and extra reading has been added to a book, you are in luck. One chapter has actually been rearranged to appear throughout the book, so that no information has been deleted, but the book has stayed the same length. We all know that we shouldn’t skip to the end when reading a textbook, but we all do it anyway. And now we won’t be scared by the number of pages remaining in the book, but it will fly by quickly.

There is a reason I think Scott Shaw and Kathi Kellenberger’s book is the best introductory book on the market. There are many textbooks that market themselves as “beginner” or “fundamentals” of SQL Server. But if you have picked up any of them, you know that the authors usually assume that you know a little bit about SQL Server. True beginners often have a very hard time picking up one of these books and then beginning their learning immediately, because there is so much background information that the author assumes a beginner should know before attempting to learn.

But I think that is this is the worst thing that can happen to someone trying to learn. Imagine learning to walk, but being knocked down every time you try. This is not going to make you try to skip walking, and jump immediately to running. No – you may never learn to walk or run at all. Beginning T-SQL is one of the few books that avoids this problem, I think.

In fact, as proof that Mr. Shaw and Ms. Kellenberger starts the book right where learning needs to start, take a look at the title of chapter number one: Getting Started. It doesn’t jump right into writing queries, or using functions, no matter how simple, but walks you through the most basic of all fundamentals. And, of course, if you are already a little bit of an expert – no problem! Just skip this one chapter, and start your learning in Chapter 2.

Ms. Kellenbeger has told me herself that she intends this book to take a beginner to an intermediate T-SQL developer. Many books make wild claims that they can take a beginner and turn them into a database expert by simply reading the book from cover to cover. But like all claims that seem too good to be true, those books often fail to live up to their promises. Often, they really are to take intermediate learners to experts, or are so determined to reach the expert level that they leave off some very important basic concepts, which then just leaves a confused beginner. I appreciate that this book makes solid claims that it can back up with real evidence and actual results.

Best of all, I think this is just an overall well-written book. It is written in easy-to-understand language and presents examples and practice sets at every turn. There has obviously been a lot of care put into making this book the best it can be. Not only is the writing clear, but the entire book is laid out in an orderly fashion, so that you use concepts you have learned before while you master more complex information. But I think the best thing I can say is that I like it because she is easy to read, makes complex subjects easy, and is very thorough in writing and executing.

Now I consider myself a SQL Server expert, and my job as a technology evangelist means that I should have a very firm grasp on the most complex subjects. But I certainly began my early career reading Kathi Kellenberger’s books and other writings. She was a huge influence on my career, and thus my life. I cannot recommend this book, and all her writings, more highly than I do right now.

Pinal Dave

Founder, SQLAuthority.com