SQL Server 7: A Beginner's Guide

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Summary: This is an excellent introduction to SQL Server 7.
Review: As a person with no previous experience in using the SQL language I found this book very well written and accessible. The book is organized in a systemic way, and it describes many of the basic SQL Server 7 components. The book is evenly paced, with very smooth transitions from one chapter to the next. The section on Transact-SQL is especially well-written. The book is essential to anyone interested in the SQL server.

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Summary: Simply the best entry level SQL Server book
Review: I am an experienced Access user with some knowledge of SQL. I have found in this book exactly what I need to learn SQL Server from the beginning on. The part of the book concerning Transact-SQL is especially well written for someone like me. I recommend this book to all MS Access users who are upgrading to SQL Server 7.

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Summary: Nice general(and I mean general)overview
Review: I bought this book in hopes it would prepare me for the certification test but as broad as this book is I will have to find another source. Although, if you are looking for an introductory book to SQL 7 than this is a book for you. Be sure to follow it up with more indepth books before even thinking about entering a production environment

Rating:
Summary: The best introduction book
Review: Since I had no background with SQL Server I carefully chose a beginners guide and am very pleased with this one. I was able to understand all but 2 or 3 short segments of the material and I anticipate using this book as a syntax reference later on. The author's background with databases was evident without being overwhelming. There were at least a dozen mislabeled figures or tables that could be misleading and the first two thirds of the book are heavy going as Transact-SQL is covered but I found the writing consistently accessible. The chapters on Data Warehouses and Data Marts were too sketchy to be of much value but the main point of the book was handily accomplished - the basics of building and managing SQL Server 7 databases. I am reading the MS Press self study guides currently and am glad I started where I did.

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Summary: A beginners guide with substance and value!
Review: Since I had no background with SQL Server I carefully chose a beginners guide and am very pleased with this one. I was able to understand all but 2 or 3 short segments of the material and I anticipate using this book as a syntax reference later on. The author's background with databases was evident without being overwhelming. There were at least a dozen mislabeled figures or tables that could be misleading and the first two thirds of the book are heavy going as Transact-SQL is covered but I found the writing consistently accessible. The chapters on Data Warehouses and Data Marts were too sketchy to be of much value but the main point of the book was handily accomplished - the basics of building and managing SQL Server 7 databases. I am reading the MS Press self study guides currently and am glad I started where I did.

Rating:
Summary: The best introduction book
Review: Since I had only background with MS Access(and no background with SQL Server at all),I had a choice between the book-Sams Teach Yourself in 21 Days- and this one.I took this one and I am very pleased with my choice. With this book, it was easy for me to understand Transact-SQL language and administration of SQL Server.(The last part of the book:Data Warehousing is rather superficial, but this topic is not important for me.)The book is great as a first-time user handbook as well as a syntax reference later on. I am now reading a book from Kalen Delaney-Inside SQL Server 7- and this book was the best starting point for it.

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Summary: I'd rather slowly carve open a vein with a dull spoon.
Review: The problem with this book is that about mid-way through the book, it seems to become unaccessible. I am a beginner at SQL 7, and about halfway through the book, it started really bogging down, to the point where I was not getting anything from reading at all. I would of been better putting the book under my pillow, I couldn't have done any worse after all. Sorry to those who rated this book a 5. It does not deserve it in any sense of the word. And with this, my flame will cease.

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Summary: Very brief in everything. An introduction book
Review: This book describes a lot of things (if not everything) about SQL Server, but very brief on every point. I really can not learn how to use SQL Server from this book. It is an introduction book.

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Summary: This book should be retitled "Waste of Time and Money for ..
Review: This book is one of the worst books I have ever read. The examples are poorly explained and teach you absolutely nothing. When I picked up this book I had some (though limited) knowledge of SQL. After reading this book I found myself confused and discouraged. If you are into ASP and SQL I would recommend Beginning ASP Databases (Wrox Press) by John Kauffman.

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Summary: Your time is better spent elsewhere
Review: This book is simply a regurgitation of SQL Server's Books OnLine, except filled with typos. You would be better off just reading BOL if you want the "here are the 3 ways to do this" style found here. There is no input from the author on why you should do things one way instead of another, advantages or disadvantages of programming or administration options, etc. I don't suggest this book. I do suggest "Professional SQL Server 7.0 Programming" by Rob Vieira, even for beginners. There you will find some common sense advise from an experienced programmer, along with the "how to".