Rating: 
Summary: SQL Server 2000 Black Book
Review: 'SQL Server 2000 Black Book' is a guide and reference for professionals looking for solutions. It is truly a "Comprehensive Problem Solver", as the cover says.
"SQL Server 2000 Black Book" provides in-depth study as well as reference material. It is comprehensive and yet precise, a perfect resource for developers looking for database and server reference material.
Patrick Dalton and Paul Whitehead have explained crucial points twice or more in close proximity, and, in different ways, so that you understand and remember those points, during, your adventures in practical life with SQL Server, Windows Operating System and Data Storage.
Rating: 
Summary: YABFB
Review: A "Comprehensive Problem Solver" it is not. The SQL Server 2000 Black Book is full of good information on theories and principles, and at the end of each chapter is a good amount of examples and solutions for particular situations. The examples do help you ,sort of, understand how to build your own SQL commands, but if you want to know WHAT those commands you typed in really means, you may want to buy another book.This book is supposed to be for Immediate to Advanced users and as toted a "problem solver". It's not. It seems like a good beginners book. I have two examples to discuss:
1) If/Else logic. Granted as a programmer I know how this stuff works, but they use the flow control statements throughtout the book, but never explain IF/Else statements. Considering how important If/Else statements are in programming, this is a major weakpoint. 2) Stored Procedures. Chapter 14 of the book is supposed to cover Stored Proceduures. Well, it talks about it, and there are examples at the end of the book. But that chapter has more discussions than hardcore examples that it really depressed me about the book. It seemed to me that some of this chapter was probably taken from the manuals. If you wanted to understand Stored Procedures, this book won't help. Overall, it has some good points if you are beginning, bad points if you want a good programming/breakdown type of book.
Rating: 
Summary: It's not as good as it seems
Review: A "Comprehensive Problem Solver" it is not. The SQL Server 2000 Black Book is full of good information on theories and principles, and at the end of each chapter is a good amount of examples and solutions for particular situations. The examples do help you ,sort of, understand how to build your own SQL commands, but if you want to know WHAT those commands you typed in really means, you may want to buy another book. This book is supposed to be for Immediate to Advanced users and as toted a "problem solver". It's not. It seems like a good beginners book. I have two examples to discuss:
1) If/Else logic. Granted as a programmer I know how this stuff works, but they use the flow control statements throughtout the book, but never explain IF/Else statements. Considering how important If/Else statements are in programming, this is a major weakpoint. 2) Stored Procedures. Chapter 14 of the book is supposed to cover Stored Proceduures. Well, it talks about it, and there are examples at the end of the book. But that chapter has more discussions than hardcore examples that it really depressed me about the book. It seemed to me that some of this chapter was probably taken from the manuals. If you wanted to understand Stored Procedures, this book won't help. Overall, it has some good points if you are beginning, bad points if you want a good programming/breakdown type of book.
Rating: 
Summary: Well worth the price
Review: I am a self-taught DBA in need to understand how to cope with my day-to-day job. This book comes in very handy. It covers everything you need to know about administration, from the installation, optimization, hardware selection and so on. The writers pour their own experience into the book. Don't hesitate: buy this book before it's out of print and you'll never be sorry afterwards.
Rating:
Summary: Don't waste your time
Review: I bought this book on sale and thought it would be a good reference - looking at how large it is. However, I have not been able to get a single answer to any of my questions. The text goes into no in-depth explanations and it literally has copied the Books On-Line documentation that comes with SQL Server! I don't know how they got by with this as I compared it almost word-for-word in many, many places. I say it's a waste of time because you might as well use SQL's own doc because there's no extra cost and you can search for your topics. Then spend the money to get another reference that goes into more detail and covers what-if scenarios.
Rating:
Summary: Words to Work by
Review: I can't say that I read a technical book from cover but I've come pretty close with this one. In addition to the information that I can really use, ( and I mean everyday ) what impressed me most was the practical and meaningful tips about dealing with the day to day 'crises' a SQL server developer faces. The book is already well dog eared as it's a constant companion of mine at work, in the car, and at home. I highly recommend this book. It's the best on the subject I've seen. I've learned things about SQL Server I didn't even know existed.
Rating:
Summary: Words to Work by
Review: I can't say that I read a technical book from cover but I've come pretty close with this one. In addition to the information that I can really use, ( and I mean everyday ) what impressed me most was the practical and meaningful tips about dealing with the day to day 'crises' a SQL server developer faces. The book is already well dog eared as it's a constant companion of mine at work, in the car, and at home. I highly recommend this book. It's the best on the subject I've seen. I've learned things about SQL Server I didn't even know existed.
Rating:
Summary: Well-organized
Review: This book will be useful because it is clear and well-organized. Each chapter is introduced with a quick reference table of contents. The headings within the chapter make it easy to follow the outline (organization) of the material. There are numerous graphics and procedure lists. Where appropriate, source code is listed by way of demonstration. The coverage of the material is comprehensive.
Rating: 
Summary: Do not buy this book/waste your money!
Review: This is one case where Microsoft's book is much better than the other books on the topic. Buy the MS Administrator's Guide unless you are certain you are an advanced user/administrator/programmer, but no matter what, don't buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Beginners Only
Review: Too much of a limited revamp of BOL. Just beginner's only.
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