Looking for a training book recommendation for SQL 2012

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Looking for a training book recommendation for SQL 2012

DataAnalyst011

SSCarpal Tunnel

Points: 4035
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April 16, 2015 at 8:56 am

#316653

I have worked as a report writer with very little knowledge of the nuts and bolts of SQL (installation, setup, maintenance, optimization, etc.). My knowledge is very sporadic and I want to work through a SQL 2012 book more in the area of a DBA. I've looked at books like Training Kit (Exam 70-462) Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases but I'm just not sure which would be the most helpful. Would anyone mind providing recommendations? Thanks a bunch.

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Alan Burstein SSC Guru Points: 61136 More actions · Answer 1

The book you listed is not a bad start at all. I actually own it but have not read it; as a DBA, however, I learned a ton from the equivalent SQL Server 2005 certification books.

A couple suggestions would include Troubleshooting SQL Server: A Guide for the Accidental DBA . It covers some of the internals quite well. Check out some other Redgate Press books as well - depending on what you want to dive into you may find it here: https://www.red-gate.com/community/books/index#sqldba.

SQLServerCentral is an amazing resource; read through the forumns - they're a goldmine.

"I cant stress enough the importance of switching from a sequential files mindset to set-based thinking. After you make the switch, you can spend your time tuning and optimizing your queries instead of maintaining lengthy, poor-performing code."

-- Itzik Ben-Gan 2001

Grant Fritchey SSC Guru Points: 398694 More actions · Answer 2

If you do a search online there are lots of lists of recommended reading. I agree with the post above. I also regularly suggest Craig Mullins book, Database Administration, which is just abut the job, not the technology. Also Brad McGehee's How to Become an Exceptional DBA. Finally, Thomas LaRock's DBA Rock Star. None of these are terribly technical, all will prepare you for the job.

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
- Theodore Roosevelt

Author of:
SQL Server Execution Plans
SQL Server Query Performance Tuning

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1003865 More actions · Answer 3

DataAnalyst011 (4/16/2015)
I have worked as a report writer with very little knowledge of the nuts and bolts of SQL (installation, setup, maintenance, optimization, etc.). My knowledge is very sporadic and I want to work through a SQL 2012 book more in the area of a DBA. I've looked at books like Training Kit (Exam 70-462) Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases but I'm just not sure which would be the most helpful. Would anyone mind providing recommendations? Thanks a bunch.

Are you interested in the nuts and bolts of the programming language and tables/indexes, etc, or more at the system level?

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

DataAnalyst011 SSCarpal Tunnel Points: 4035 More actions · Answer 4

Thanks to everyone for the replies.

Jeff - You may not have time to do this but would you mind giving your recommendations for both of these areas? Lately I've really become interested in performance tuning and troubleshooting. However, I'm still such a newbie I had real trouble keeping up with the Accidental DBA book when I tried working through it a few weeks ago. I thought my issue was that I was probably trying to jump ahead too far in the conversation (i.e. I don't understand the basics). Any help is really appreciated.

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1003865 More actions · Answer 5

For the programming side (T-SQL), just about any book by Itzik Ben-Gan is a very worthwhile investment. Grant Fritchey's books on Execution Plans are an absolute must have when it comes to query performance tuning. Gail Shaw's "SQL in the Wild" blogs are great. And Kimberly Tripps "MCM Video Series" are awesome, as well.

On the administrative side, I don't have many recommendations there other than Books Online, which is the "help" system for SQL Server. EDIT... I take that back. Paul Randal's blogs are also awesome. Brent Ozar also has a great website if you ignore the stuff he says about not doing index maintenance. 😀

No matter the case, though, you can get a special copy of the "Enterprise Edition" of SQL Server known as the "Developers Edition". It works on a laptop and does NOT require a Windows Server to operate. It costs about as much as a really good technical book on the subject (~$60USD or so).

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)