10 Best Books on SQL-Server Database

We have compiled a list of the Best Reference Books on SQL-Server Database, which are used by students of top universities, and colleges. This will help you choose the right book depending on if you are a beginner or an expert. Here is the complete list of SQL-Server Database Books with their authors, publishers, and an unbiased review of them as well as links to the Amazon website to directly purchase them. If permissible, you can also download the free PDF books on SQL-Server Database below.

 
1."Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases" by Orin Thomas
“Exam 70-462 Training Kit: Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases” Book Review: The book is a complete reference for the SQL Server 2012 Exam 70-462 by Microsoft, providing numerous practice exercises and real-world case scenarios. It begins by explaining how to install and configure SQL Server, and then delves into managing data and maintaining instances and databases. The book also covers optimizing and troubleshooting SQL Server while implementing security and high availability. Readers can test their skills using multiple testing modes with plenty of practice tests, and at the end of each test, they can find answers and explanations to help them understand and learn.

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2."Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 - Database Development: Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Database Development" by Tobias Thernstrom
“MCTS EXAM 70-433 Training Kit: Microsoft SQL Server 2008 – Database Development” Book Review: This book is a comprehensive guide for Microsoft’s SQL Server 2008 MCTS Exam 70-433, providing numerous practice exercises and real-world scenarios. It covers fundamental operations such as creating and managing database objects, querying and modifying data, and optimizing table structures and data integrity. Readers also learn advanced topics like implementing subqueries and CTEs, creating stored procedures, functions, and triggers, and managing transactions, error handling, and change tracking. The book also provides detailed explanations for implementing database mail, full-text search, Service Broker, scripts, and query performance tuning while working with XML and SQL CLR. It includes a 180-day trial of SQL Server 2008 Enterprise Edition, and multiple practice tests with answers and explanations.

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3."Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2012" by Ross Mistry
“Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2012” Book Review: This book provides a comprehensive overview of the latest enhancements and features in Microsoft SQL Server 2012. It delves into the various aspects of operation, reporting, and management, with a detailed analysis of each improvement. The book includes practical examples, case studies, and exercises to aid readers in better understanding the concepts discussed. It is a valuable resource for database administrators, technical decision-makers, and application developers seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills in SQL Server 2012.

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4."Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012" by Itzik Ben-Gan
“Exam 70-461 Training Kit: Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012” Book Review: The official Microsoft Study guide covers querying Microsoft’s SQL Server 2012 Exam 70-461 with a series of lessons and reviews. The book teaches readers how to write queries and work with database entities using T-SQL and select the appropriate data type for their database structure. Creating, modifying, and deleting tables using T-SQL is also included. In addition, the book covers implementing aggregate queries and XML schemas, as well as modifying data using Insert, Update, and Delete statements. Real-world case scenarios and practice exercises help identify performance issues and optimize query execution. The book comes with a CD that provides numerous practice tests using multiple testing modes with answers and explanations provided at the end.

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5."Professional Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Administration" by Adam Jorgensen
“Professional Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Administration” Book Review: This book provides a comprehensive overview of Microsoft SQL Server 2012’s new features and demonstrates effective ways to manage, monitor, and automate administration. It covers client-connectivity improvements, high availability, and integration with Excel and SharePoint for data analysis and reporting. The book also discusses cloud computing, data replication, and data warehouse performance improvements for SQL Azure. Additionally, major changes to the SQL Server BI tools, including integration, reporting, and analysis services, are analyzed. The book includes tips, tricks, and workarounds for handling the most difficult SQL Server admin issues with real-world case examples and best practices from Microsoft insiders. Performance tuning, backup and recovery, scaling and replication, clustering, and security are explained in detail. It’s a valuable reference for database administrators.

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6."MS SQL Server 2008" by Paul Nielsen
“Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Bible” Book Review: This book thoroughly examines the advanced capabilities of Microsoft’s SQL Server 2008, a high-performance database and data analysis software package. It provides readers with the knowledge to develop SQL Server databases and connections, efficiently manage the SQL Server, and ensure databases perform optimally. The book presents each task using both graphical and SQL code methods, with practical examples and sample code that demonstrate best practices, tips, and tricks for all the new features of SQL Server 2008.

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7."Professional Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Administration" by Adam Jorgensen and Bradley Ball
“Professional Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Administration” Book Review: This book provides a complete guide to Microsoft’s SQL Server 2014, covering updated methods, techniques, and enhanced support for enterprise databases. It discusses improved management and monitoring, as well as new security features for protecting data. The book also explores performance tuning, scaling, replication, and clustering. Additionally, it covers new backup and recovery tools, enhanced cloud capabilities, AlwaysOn features, in-memory OLTP, and Buffer Pool Extensions for SSDs. The new Cardinality Estimator is also discussed in detail to understand the improved functionality and smooth workflow. It is an essential resource for database administrators and developers.

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8."Pro SQL Server Relational Database Design and Implementation" by Louis Davidson and Jessica Moss
“Pro SQL Server Relational Database Design and Implementation” Book Review: This book provides an in-depth guide to effective database design logic and techniques in a SQL Server 2016 and higher environment. The book covers fundamental concepts such as the language of database modeling, SQL implementation, and the normalization process. It explores the latest physical implementation features that the SQL Server offers. The book presents best practices and relational theory from developing conceptual models of client data to securing data integrity and creating effective indexing to speed query performance. The book also includes updated descriptions of in-memory OLTP, durability enhancements, temporal data support, and other design-related features of SQL Server 2016. It is suitable for business users, programmers, and database administrators.

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9."PowerShell for SQL Server Essentials" by Donabel Santos
“PowerShell for SQL Server Essentials” Book Review: This book is aimed at SQL Server administrators and developers who are interested in leveraging PowerShell to automate their tasks. It begins with an introduction to PowerShell, and then goes on to cover topics such as profiling and configuring SQL Server, querying SQL Server with PowerShell, and monitoring and automating SQL Server. Each chapter ends with a summary to reinforce the key points covered.

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10."SQL Server Backup and Restore" by Shawn McGehee
“SQL Server Backup and Restore” Book Review: This book provides a concise guide for performing backup and restore operations in SQL Server using various tools such as SSMS, T-SQL scripts, and Red Gate’s SQL Backup tool. It covers the basics of using SSMS as a simple script for capturing backups and explains the role and responsibilities of a database administrator, including their daily tasks. Additionally, the book offers in-depth coverage of Red Gate SQL for backup automation and explores topics such as PowerShell scripting, T-SQL scripts, and SQL Server Agent Jobs.

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We have put a lot of effort into researching the best books on SQL-Server Database and came out with a recommended list and their reviews. If any more book needs to be added to this list, please email us. We are working on free pdf downloads for books on SQL-Server Database and will publish the download link here. Fill out this SQL-Server Database books pdf download" request form for download notification.

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