In this book, the author targets the beginner SQL Server Programmer by taking a very simple approach to it. He starts by going through the process of setting up SQL Server 2000 and then continues by gradually introducing various new concepts that help the reader understand and master the subject.

The book includes a 120-Day Enterprise Evaluation Edition of SQL Server 2000, which is very useful for someone who is trying to decide between different database products, or someone who is not ready to buy the software until feeling comfortable with it. It touches on every aspect of database programming, but without getting into so much detail that it would confuse someone trying to understand the basics.

These are some of the topics that ‘Beginning SQL Server 2000 Programming’ covers:

• SQL Server Installation and Management
• SQL Server Tools
• Creating Databases and Components
• Data manipulation

The chapters are filled with examples, and the user is encouraged to follow along as the author demonstrates how to use the different tools to manage the sample database. I feel like the author did a great job of balancing between what programmers and administrators want to know. A great deal of time was spent on maintenance issues such as setting up the server, performing backups and recovery, and managing SQL Server through Enterprise Manager. At the same time, the reader will learn how to insert and retrieve data, create stored procedures, build views, and use triggers. Towards the end of the book, the author touches on the topic of XML, but very briefly. This chapter gives the reader enough knowledge in the subject to create simple solutions.

There is an appendix that goes over the steps of upgrading from Microsoft Access to SQL Server. I would like to have seen more on this topic because I believe that a big percentage of the readers of this book will be making the jump from Access.

Overall, I found this book to be very accurate and thorough. If you have worked with previous versions of SQL Server, this book is not for you, I would recommend looking into a more advanced book since you will not need to learn the basics. If you are in the process of trying to determine if SQL Server would be the right tool for your application or you are trying to jump into the field of database development then I would definitely recommend this book as one of your primary sources of information.