"Practical SQL is an approachable and fast-paced guide to SQL (Structured Query Language), the standard programming language for defining, organizing, and exploring data in relational databases. The book focuses on using SQL to find the story your data tells, with the popular open-source database PostgreSQL and the pgAdmin interface as its primary tools. You’ll first cover the fundamentals of databases and the SQL language, then build skills by analyzing data from the U.S. Census and other federal and state government agencies. With exercises and real-world examples in each chapter, this book will teach even those who have never programmed before all the tools necessary to build powerful databases and access information quickly and efficiently. You’ll learn how to: • Create databases and related tables using your own data• Define the right data types for your information• Aggregate, sort, and filter data to find patterns• Use basic math and advanced statistical functions• Identify errors in data and clean them up• Import and export data using delimited text files• Write queries for geographic information systems (GIS)• Create advanced queries and automate tasks Learning SQL doesn’t have to be dry and complicated. Practical SQL delivers clear examples with an easy-to-follow approach to teach you the tools you need to build and manage your own databases. This book uses PostgreSQL, but the SQL syntax is applicable to many database applications, including Microsoft SQL Server and MySQL."

The #1 Easy, Common-Sense Guide to SQL Queries—Updated with More Advanced Techniques and Solutions Foreword by Keith W. Hare, Vice Chair, USA SQL Standards Committee SQL Queries for Mere Mortals has earned worldwide praise as the clearest, simplest tutorial on writing effective queries with the latest SQL standards and database applications. Now, author John L. Viescas has updated this hands-on classic with even more advanced and valuable techniques. Step by step, Viescas guides you through creating reliable queries for virtually any current SQL-based database. He demystifies all aspects of SQL query writing, from simple data selection and filtering to joining multiple tables and modifying sets of data. Building on the basics, Viescas shows how to solve challenging real-world problems, including applying multiple complex conditions on one table, performing sophisticated logical evaluations, and using unlinked tables to think “outside the box.” In two brand-new chapters, you learn how to perform complex calculations on groups for sophisticated reporting, and how to partition data into windows for more flexible aggregation. Practice all you want with downloadable sample databases for today’s versions of Microsoft Office Access, Microsoft SQL Server, and the open source MySQL and PostgreSQL databases. Whether you’re a DBA, developer, user, or student, there’s no better way to master SQL. Coverage includes: Getting started: understanding what relational databases are, and ensuring that your database structures are sound SQL basics: using SELECT statements, creating expressions, sorting information with ORDER BY, and filtering data using WHERE Summarizing and grouping data with GROUP BY and HAVING clauses Drawing data from multiple tables: using INNER JOIN, OUTER JOIN, and UNION operators, and working with subqueries Modifying data sets with UPDATE, INSERT, and DELETE statements Advanced queries: complex NOT and AND, conditions, if-then-else using CASE, unlinked tables, driver tables, and more NEW! Using advanced GROUP BY keywords to create subtotals, roll-ups, and more NEW! Applying window functions to answer more sophisticated questions, and gain deeper insight into your data Software-Independent Approach! If you work with database software such as Access, MS SQL Server, Oracle, DB2, MySQL, Ingres, or any other SQL-based program, this book could save you hours of time and aggravation—before you write a single query! .

Abstract Business Intelligence (BI) is a broad term that relates to applications that analyze data to understand and act on the key metrics that drive profitability in an enterprise. Key to analyzing that data is providing fast, easy access to it while delivering it in formats or tools that best fit the needs of the user. At the core of any BI solution are user query and reporting tools that provide intuitive access to data supporting a spectrum of users from executives to “power users,” from spreadsheet aficionados to the external Internet consumer. IBM® DB2® Web Query for i offers a set of modernized tools for a more robust, extensible, and productive reporting solution than the popular IBM Query for System i® tool (also known as IBM Query/400). IBM DB2 Web Query for i preserves investments in the reports that are developed with Query/400 by offering a choice of importing definitions into the new technology or continuing to run existing Query/400 reports as is. But, it also offers significant productivity and performance enhancements by leveraging the latest in DB2 for i query optimization technology. The DB2 Web Query for i product is a web-based query and report writing product that offers enhanced capabilities over the IBM Query for iSeries product (also commonly known as Query/400). IBM DB2 Web Query for i includes Query for iSeries technology to assist customers in their transition to DB2 Web Query. It offers a more modernized, Java based solution for a more robust, extensible, and productive reporting solution. DB2 Web Query provides the ability to query or build reports against data that is stored in DB2 for i (or Microsoft SQL Server) databases through browser-based user interface technologies: Build reports with ease through the web-based, ribbon-like InfoAssist tool that leverages a common look and feel that can extend the number of personnel that can generate their own reports. Simplify the management of reports by significantly reducing the number of report definitions that are required through the use of parameter driven reports. Deliver data to users in many different formats, including directly into spreadsheets, or in boardroom-quality PDF format, or viewed from the browser in HTML. Leverage advanced reporting functions, such as matrix reporting, ranking, color coding, drill-down, and font customization to enhance the visualization of DB2 data. DB2 Web Query offers features to import Query/400 definitions and enhance their look and functions. By using it, you can add OLAP-like slicing and dicing to the reports or view reports in disconnected mode for users on the go. This IBM Redbooks® publication provides a broad understanding of what can be done with the DB2 Web Query product. This publication is a companion of DB2 Web Query Tutorials, SG24-8378, which has a group of self-explanatory tutorials to help you get up to speed quickly.

Build agile and responsive business intelligence solutions Create a semantic model and analyze data using the tabular model in SQL Server 2016 Analysis Services to create corporate-level business intelligence (BI) solutions. Led by two BI experts, you will learn how to build, deploy, and query a tabular model by following detailed examples and best practices. This hands-on book shows you how to use the tabular model’s in-memory database to perform rapid analytics—whether you are new to Analysis Services or already familiar with its multidimensional model. Discover how to: • Determine when a tabular or multidimensional model is right for your project • Build a tabular model using SQL Server Data Tools in Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 • Integrate data from multiple sources into a single, coherent view of company information • Choose a data-modeling technique that meets your organization’s performance and usability requirements • Implement security by establishing administrative and data user roles • Define and implement partitioning strategies to reduce processing time • Use Tabular Model Scripting Language (TMSL) to execute and automate administrative tasks • Optimize your data model to reduce the memory footprint for VertiPaq • Choose between in-memory (VertiPaq) and pass-through (DirectQuery) engines for tabular models • Select the proper hardware and virtualization configurations • Deploy and manipulate tabular models from C# and PowerShell using AMO and TOM libraries Get code samples, including complete apps, at: https://aka.ms/tabular/downloads About This Book • For BI professionals who are new to SQL Server 2016 Analysis Services or already familiar with previous versions of the product, and who want the best reference for creating and maintaining tabular models. • Assumes basic familiarity with database design and business analytics concepts.

Optimize reporting and BI with Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Professional Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Reporting Services and Mobile Reports provides a comprehensive lesson in business intelligence (BI), operational reporting and Reporting Services architecture using a clear, concise tutorial approach. You'll learn effective report solution design based upon many years of experience with successful report solutions. Improve your own reports with advanced, best-practice design, usability, query design, and filtering techniques. Expert guidance provides insight into common report types and explains where each could be made more efficient, while providing step-by step instruction on Microsoft SQL Server 2016. All changes to the 2016 release are covered in detail, including improvements to the Visual Studio Report Designer (SQL Server Data Tools) and Report Builder, Mobile Dashboard Designer, the new Report Portal Interface, HTML-5 Rendering, Power BI integration, Custom Parameters Pane, and more. The Microsoft SQL Server 2016 release will include significant changes. New functionality, new capabilities, re-tooled processes, and changing support require a considerable update to existing knowledge. Whether you're starting from scratch or simply upgrading, this book is an essential guide to report design and business intelligence solutions. Understand BI fundamentals and Reporting Services architecture Learn the ingredients to a successful report design Get up to speed on Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Grasp the purpose behind common designs to optimize your reporting Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services makes reporting faster, easier, and more powerful than ever in web, desktop and portal solutions. Compatibility with an extensive variety of data sources makes it a go-to solution for organizations across the globe. The 2016 release brings some of the biggest changes in years, and the full depth and breadth of these changes can create a serious snag in your workflow. For a clear tutorial geared toward the working professional, Professional Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Reporting Services and Mobile Reports is the ideal guide for getting up to speed and producing successful reports.

Leverage the power of visualization in business intelligence and data science to make quicker and better decisions. Use statistics and data mining to make compelling and interactive dashboards. This book will help those familiar with Tableau software chart their journey to being a visualization expert. Pro Tableau demonstrates the power of visual analytics and teaches you how to: Connect to various data sources such as spreadsheets, text files, relational databases (Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, etc.), non-relational databases (NoSQL such as MongoDB, Cassandra), R data files, etc. Write your own custom SQL, etc. Perform statistical analysis in Tableau using R Use a multitude of charts (pie, bar, stacked bar, line, scatter plots, dual axis, histograms, heat maps, tree maps, highlight tables, box and whisker, etc.) What you'll learn Connect to various data sources such as relational databases (Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL), non-relational databases (NoSQL such as MongoDB, Cassandra), write your own custom SQL, join and blend data sources, etc. Leverage table calculations (moving average, year over year growth, LOD (Level of Detail), etc. Integrate Tableau with R Tell a compelling story with data by creating highly interactive dashboards Who this book is for All levels of IT professionals, from executives responsible for determining IT strategies to systems administrators, to data analysts, to decision makers responsible for driving strategic initiatives, etc. The book will help those familiar with Tableau software chart their journey to a visualization expert.

“Given the authors’ reputations, I expected to be impressed. I was blown away! . . . Most SQL books sit on my shelf. This one will live on my desk.” –Roger Carlson, Microsoft Access MVP (2006-2015) “Rather than stumble around reinventing wheels or catching glimpses of the proper approaches, do yourself a favor: Buy this book.” —Dave Stokes, MySQL Community Manager, Oracle Corporation brings together practical solutions and insights so you can solve complex problems with SQL and design databases that simplify data management in the future. It’s the only modern book that brings together advanced best practices and realistic example code for all of these versions of SQL: IBM DB2, Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle Database, and PostgreSQL. Effective SQL Drawing on their immense experience as world-class database consultants and instructors, the authors identify 61 proven approaches to writing better SQL. Wherever SQL versions vary, the authors illuminate the key nuances, so you can get the most out of whatever version you prefer. This full-color guide provides clear, practical explanations; expert tips; and plenty of usable code. Going far beyond mere syntax, it addresses issues ranging from optimizing database designs to managing hierarchies and metadata. If you already know SQL’s basics, this guide will help you become a world-class SQL problem-solver. Craft better logical data models, and fix flawed models Implement indexes that improve query performance Handle external data from sources you don’t control Extract and aggregate the information you need, as efficiently as possible Write more flexible subqueries Analyze and retrieve metadata using your database platform of choice Use Cartesian Products and Tally Tables to solve problems you can’t address with conventional JOINs Model hierarchical data: managing SQL’s tradeoffs and shortcomings

Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft SQL Server T-SQL in 10 Minutes offers straightforward, practical answers when you need fast results. By working through the book’s 30 lessons of 10 minutes or less, you’ll learn what you need to know to take advantage of Microsoft SQL Server’s T-SQL language. This handy pocket guide starts with simple data retrieval and moves on to more complex topics, including the use of joins, subqueries, full text-based searches, functions and stored procedures, cursors, triggers, table constraints, XML, JSON, and much more. Learn how to… Use T-SQL in the Microsoft SQL Server environment Construct complex T-SQL statements using multiple clauses and operators Filter data so you get the information you need quickly Retrieve, sort, and format database contents Join two or more related tables Make SQL Server work for you with globalization and localization Create subqueries to pinpoint your data Automate your workload with triggers Create and alter database tables Work with views, stored procedures, and more Contents at a Glance 1 Understanding SQL 2 Introducing SQL Server 3 Working with SQL Server 4 Retrieving Data 5 Sorting Retrieved Data 6 Filtering Data 7 Advanced Data Filtering 8 Using Wildcard Filtering 9 Creating Calculated Fields 10 Using Data Manipulation Functions 11 Summarizing Data 12 Grouping Data 13 Working with Subqueries 14 Joining Tables 15 Creating Advanced Joins 16 Combining Queries 17 Full-Text Searching 18 Inserting Data 19 Updating and Deleting Data 20 Creating and Manipulating Tables 21 Using Views 22 Programming with T-SQL 23 Working with Stored Procedures 24 Using Cursors 25 Using Triggers 26 Managing Transaction Processing 27 Working with XML and JSON 28 Globalization and Localization 29 Managing Security 30 Improving Performance A The Example Tables B T-SQL Statement Syntax C T-SQL Datatypes D T-SQL Reserved Words

Cloud services are now ubiquitous in data science and more broadly in technology as well. This week, I speak to Mark Souza, Tobias Ternström, and Corey Sanders about various aspects of data at scale. We discuss the embedding of R into SQLServer, SQLServer on linux, open source, and a few other cloud topics.

Dive into the world of multidimensional data analysis with "MDX with Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Analysis Services Cookbook." This book provides over 70 practical recipes to help you understand and utilize MDX queries and calculations effectively. What this Book will help me do Master the fundamentals of MDX concepts and their applications. Learn to create time-aware calculations using the Time dimension. Develop skills to write efficient and flexible MDX queries. Gain insights into creating compact and efficient analytical reports. Understand advanced techniques for capturing MDX queries and metadata-driven calculations. Author(s) None Li and Tomislav Piasevoli are accomplished experts in multidimensional data analysis and business intelligence. Drawing from extensive experience, they offer readers a well-structured and comprehensive approach to mastering MDX. Their pedagogy emphasizes practical, real-world examples promoting clear understanding. Who is it for? This volume is designed for database administrators, multidimensional cube developers, and report writers looking to enhance their strengths in MDX. Readers with intermediate exposure to multidimensional databases will particularly benefit. It also serves as a valuable resource for business analysts and power users aiming to boost data analysis capabilities.

Dive into the world of Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Reporting Services with this cookbook-style guide that covers operational reporting and mobile dashboards. By following clear, task-oriented recipes, you'll quickly learn how to leverage SSRS 2016 for creating advanced, visually appealing, and functional reports to improve your reporting workflows and decision-making processes. What this Book will help me do Understand the architectural components and key features of SQL Server 2016 Reporting Services. Create advanced reporting solutions tailored to your organization's needs using step-by-step recipes. Utilize Power BI and mobile reporting capabilities for more interactive and accessible data insights. Master administration, security, and performance optimization of reporting environments. Integrate reporting solutions into .NET applications for custom business intelligence enhancements. Author(s) None Priyankara is an industry expert with years of experience in data warehousing and reporting solutions, bringing practical insights to the complex world of SQL Server Reporting Services. Co-author Robert Cain is a seasoned technology trainer and consultant specializing in SQL Server and Power BI. Together, they provide a comprehensive, hands-on guide rooted in real-world applications and best practices. Who is it for? This book is designed for software professionals who are involved in reporting and business intelligence, such as software engineers, architects, and DW/BI experts. If you're responsible for designing, implementing, or managing reporting platforms and want to explore SSRS 2016's capabilities, this is the perfect guide for you.

Distribute Actionable, Timely BI with Microsoft® SQL Server® 2016 and Power BI Drive better, faster, more informed decision making across your organization using the expert tips and best practices featured in this hands-on guide. Delivering Business Intelligence with Microsoft SQL Server 2016, Fourth Edition, shows, step-by-step, how to distribute high-performance, custom analytics to users enterprise-wide. Discover how to build BI Semantic Models, create data marts and OLAP cubes, write MDX and DAX scripts, and share insights using Microsoft client tools. The book includes coverage of self-service business intelligence with Power BI. • Understand the goals and components of successful BI • Build data marts, OLAP cubes, and Tabular models • Load and cleanse data with SQL Server Integration Services • Manipulate and analyze data using MDX and DAX scripts and queries • Work with SQL Server Analysis Services and the BI Semantic Model • Author interactive reports using SQL Server Data Tools • Create KPIs and digital dashboards • Implement time-based analytics • Embed data model content in custom applications using ADOMD.NET • Use Power BI to gather, model, and visualize data in a self-service environment

Up-to-date Microsoft SQL Server 2016 skills made easy! Get up and running on Microsoft SQL Server 2016 in no time with help from this thoroughly revised, practical resource. The book offers thorough coverage of SQL management and development and features full details on the newest business intelligence, reporting, and security features. Filled with new real-world examples and hands-on exercises, Microsoft SQL Server 2016: A Beginner's Guide, Sixth Edition , starts by explaining fundamental relational database system concepts. From there, you will learn how to write Transact-SQL statements, execute simple and complex database queries, handle system administration and security, and use the powerful analysis and BI tools. XML, spatial data, and full-text search are also covered in this step-by-step tutorial. · Revised from the ground up to cover the latest version of SQL Server · Ideal both as a self-study guide and a classroom textbook · Written by a prominent professor and best-selling author

Up-to-Date Coverage of Microsoft® SQL Server® 2016 Reporting Services, Including the Mobile Report Publisher Build, publish, and maintain paginated and mobile reports using the expert tips and best practices contained in this hands-on guide. Written by a member of the original Reporting Services development team, Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Reporting Services, Fifth Edition, fully explains the process of creating and distributing reports and shows how to maximize all of the powerful, integrated SSRS capabilities, including the new and enhanced features. A detailed case study and sample reports are featured in this practical resource. • Plan for, install, configure, and customize SQL Server 2016 Reporting Services • Design and generate feature-rich reports using the Report Wizard • Work with Report Designer in Visual Studio, Report Builder, and the Mobile Report Publisher • Incorporate charts, images, gauges, and maps • Enhance your reports through summarizing, totaling, and interactivity • Build reusable report templates • Embed Visual Basic .NET functions and subreports • Enable end-user access via the Report Server and its web portal interface • Integrate SSRS reports with your own websites and custom applications • Follow along with sample reports from the book’s case study

Effectively query and modify data using Transact-SQL Master T-SQL fundamentals and write robust code for Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL Database. Itzik Ben-Gan explains key T-SQL concepts and helps you apply your knowledge with hands-on exercises. The book first introduces T-SQL’s roots and underlying logic. Next, it walks you through core topics such as single-table queries, joins, subqueries, table expressions, and set operators. Then the book covers more-advanced data-query topics such as window functions, pivoting, and grouping sets. The book also explains how to modify data, work with temporal tables, and handle transactions, and provides an overview of programmable objects. Related Content Book: T-SQL Fundamentals, 4th Edition Microsoft Data Platform MVP Itzik Ben-Gan shows you how to: Review core SQL concepts and its mathematical roots Create tables and enforce data integrity Perform effective single-table queries by using the SELECT statement Query multiple tables by using joins, subqueries, table expressions, and set operators Use advanced query techniques such as window functions, pivoting, and grouping sets Insert, update, delete, and merge data Use transactions in a concurrent environment Get started with programmable objects–from variables and batches to user-defined functions, stored procedures, triggers, and dynamic SQL

The Language of SQL, Second Edition Many SQL texts attempt to serve as an encyclopedic reference on SQL syntax -- an approach that is often counterproductive, because that information is readily available in online references published by the major database vendors. For SQL beginners, it’s more important for a book to focus on general concepts and to offer clear explanations and examples of what various SQL statements can accomplish. This is that book. A number of features make The Language of SQL unique among introductory SQL books. First, you will not be required to download software or sit with a computer as you read the text. The intent of this book is to provide examples of SQL usage that can be understood simply by reading. Second, topics are organized in an intuitive and logical sequence. SQL keywords are introduced one at a time, allowing you to grow your understanding as you encounter new terms and concepts. Finally, this book covers the syntax of three widely used databases: Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, and Oracle. Special “Database Differences” sidebars clearly show you any differences in syntax among these three databases, and instructions are included on how to obtain and install free versions of the databases. This is the only book you need to gain a quick working knowledge of SQL and relational databases. Learn How To... Use SQL to retrieve data from relational databases Apply functions and calculations to data Group and summarize data in a variety of useful ways Use complex logic to retrieve only the data you need Update data and create new tables Design relational databases so that data retrieval is easy and intuitive Use spreadsheets to transform your data into meaningful displays Retrieve data from multiple tables via joins, subqueries, views, and set logic Create, modify, and execute stored procedures Install Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, or Oracle Contents at a Glance 1 Relational Databases and SQL 2 Basic Data Retrieval 3 Calculated Fields and Aliases 4 Using Functions 5 Sorting Data 6 Selection Criteria 7 Boolean Logic 8 Conditional Logic 9 Summarizing Data 10 Subtotals and Crosstabs 11 Inner Joins 12 Outer Joins 13 Self Joins and Views 14 Subqueries 15 Set Logic 16 Stored Procedures and Parameters 17 Modifying Data 18 Maintaining Tables 19 Principles of Database Design 20 Strategies for Displaying Data A Getting Started with Microsoft SQL Server B Getting Started with MySQL C Getting Started with Oracle

With Microsoft SQL Server 2016, a variety of new features and enhancements to the data platform deliver breakthrough performance, advanced security, and richer, integrated reporting and analytics capabilities. In this ebook, we introduce new security features: Always Encrypted, Row-Level Security, and dynamic data masking; discuss enhancements that enable you to better manage performance and storage: TemDB configuration, query store, and Stretch Database; review several improvements to Reporting Services; and also describe AlwaysOn Availability Groups, tabular enhancements, and R integration.

This book is an introduction and deep-dive into the many uses of dynamic SQL in Microsoft SQL Server. Dynamic SQL is key to large-scale searching based upon user-entered criteria. It's also useful in generating value-lists, in dynamic pivoting of data for business intelligence reporting, and for customizing database objects and querying their structure. Executing dynamic SQL is at the heart of applications such as business intelligence dashboards that need to be fluid and respond instantly to changing user needs as those users explore their data and view the results. Yet dynamic SQL is feared by many due to concerns over SQL injection attacks. Reading Dynamic SQL: Applications, Performance, and Security is your opportunity to learn and master an often misunderstood feature, including security and SQL injection. All aspects of security relevant to dynamic SQL are discussed in this book. You will learn many ways to save time and develop code more efficiently, and you will practice directly with security scenarios that threaten companies around the world every day. Dynamic SQL: Applications, Performance, and Security helps you bring the productivity and user-satisfaction of flexible and responsive applications to your organization safely and securely. Your organization's increased ability to respond to rapidly changing business scenarios will build competitive advantage in an increasingly crowded and competitive global marketplace. Discusses many applications of dynamic SQL, both simple and complex. Explains each example with demos that can be run at home and on your laptop. Helps you to identify when dynamic SQL can offer superior performance. Pays attention to security and best practices to ensure safety of your data. What You Will Learn Build flexible applications that respond fast to changing business needs. Take advantage of unconventional but productive uses of dynamic SQL. Protect your data from attack through best-practices in your implementations. Know about SQL Injection and be confident in your defenses against it Run at high performance by optimizing dynamic SQL in your applications. Troubleshoot and debug dynamic SQL to ensure correct results. Who This Book is For Dynamic SQL: Applications, Performance, and Security is for developers and database administrators looking to hone and build their T-SQL coding skills. The book is ideal for advanced users wanting to plumb the depths of application flexibility and troubleshoot performance issues involving dynamic SQL. The book is also ideal for beginners wanting to learn what dynamic SQL is about and how it can help them deliver competitive advantage to their organizations.

This comprehensive and authoritative guide will teach you the DAX language for business intelligence, data modeling, and analytics. Leading Microsoft BI consultants Marco Russo and Alberto Ferrari help you master everything from table functions through advanced code and model optimization. You’ll learn exactly what happens under the hood when you run a DAX expression, how DAX behaves differently from other languages, and how to use this knowledge to write fast, robust code. If you want to leverage all of DAX’s remarkable power and flexibility, this no-compromise “deep dive” is exactly what you need. Perform powerful data analysis with DAX for Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services, Excel, and Power BI Master core DAX concepts, including calculated columns, measures, and error handling Understand evaluation contexts and the CALCULATE and CALCULATETABLE functions Perform time-based calculations: YTD, MTD, previous year, working days, and more Work with expanded tables, complex functions, and elaborate DAX expressions Perform calculations over hierarchies, including parent/child hierarchies Use DAX to express diverse and unusual relationships Measure DAX query performance with SQL Server Profiler and DAX Studio

Introducing SQL Server is a fast and easy introduction to SQL Server and the world of relational databases. You’ll learn how databases work and how to use the T-SQL language by practicing on one of the most widely-used and powerful database engines in the corporate world: Microsoft SQL Server. Do you quake at the sight of a SELECT statement? Start to shiver when people start talking about tables and rows? Fear not, Introducing SQL Server is here to rescue you. The book focuses on the knowledge and skills needed to begin your journey toward becoming a solid and competent SQL Server professional and database programmer. You’ll learn the core concepts of SQL Server, from installing the software to executing and profiling queries. Introducing SQL Server is aimed at SQL Server newcomers as well as at those wanting to improve their database skills. You’ll put a comprehensive database together as you work through the book. You will create tables and learn to use constraints; create reusable functions and stored procedures; and even learn how indexes work and what they bring in terms of increased performance. Introducing SQL Server shows you that databases don’t need to be difficult. Teaches you how to build a SQL Server database from scratch Takes a tutorial-based approach, with each chapter building on the last Covers what you need to know for common SQL Server development tasks