Hitchhiker's Guide to Visual Studio and SQL Server, Addison-Wesley
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C# Online.NET Book Review
C# Online.NET book reviews are aimed primarily at C# programmers and developers. Therefore, I do not normally review books sporting Visual Basic .NET source code—instead of C#—examples. If I did, I would normally have to penalize a book for using VB .NET examples. However, the reality is that most SQL Server shops use VB or Visual Basic .NET. So, most of the best SQL Server books still use VB examples. I chose to review this title for two reasons. One, the book has been very highly rated by readers. Two, the author flatteringly (to C# programmers) discusses why he chose to neglect C# examples—"I expect most C# developers can easily translate Visual Basic .NET to C#. But the same can't be said for a portion of Visual Basic .NET developers…". So, caveat emptor.
First of all, the book is in its seventh edition: this tells us the author is doing something right. Not many titles survive in the tecnical publishing market for seven iterations. This version is a major rewrite due to all the changes in SQL Server 2005 and Visual Studio 2005.
Secondly, the book weighs in at over a thousand pages. But, SQL Server is a massive subject; so, a comprehensive treatment is going to be a tome. Although it is not organized like an encyclopedia, the book is so comprehensive and detailed that it is hard not to call it one. It includes best practices, examples, and analyses of application design and implementation strategies. And, the book answers the most frequently asked questions found in newsgroups and on public forums—i.e., those things which give the most people the most trouble. And, unlike most SQL Server books, this is one is designed to accomodate not only SQL Server 2005 developers but those of earlier versions as well.
The author is writing about a subject he knows inside and out. The author has been in and around SQL Server development for many years. And, it shows in his frank assessments of what works and what does not as well as in his frequent insights, tips, and IMHOs. Often, he takes the time to justify his opinions by running code tests. His style is very readable and intimate; yet, the text retains its appeal for tech weenies.
Hopefully, the eighth edition will include C# source code and—perhaps—more graphical illustrations of architectural concepts. And, I wish there were fewer quotation marks around words and phrases: Instead, I prefer that a different font be used for identifiers, for example, and that italics be used for emphasis.
All source code examples are in the Visual Basic .NET language. Also, the book includes a DVD with several sample databases and many examples.
Bottom line
Hitchhiker's Guide to Visual Studio and SQL Server is an encyclopedic guide and reference which SQL Server pros will treasure.
From the back cover
Since 1994 when he wrote his first "Hitchhiker’s Guide", William Vaughn has been providing developers all over the world the intimate details of how SQL Server can be accessed and managed from RAD languages like Visual Basic and Visual Basic .NET. With the 7th Edition, Bill has completely rewritten this encyclopedic work from cover to cover–giving readers his insightful views on how applications should be built to maximize both developer and code performance. Visual Studio and the languages it hosts have never been as sophisticated as they are today–the same can be said for SQL Server. This makes it even more important for developers to understand how to best leverage their features without being held back by their complexity. That’s what this book is all about–making it easier for developers regardless of their know-how.
The 7th edition is unique in that it’s designed to provide not only up-to-date tutorials on the latest development tools provided by Visual Studio and SQL Server, but also a solid platform of architectural advice and rich examples for developers trying to choose between the myriad of platform options. Beginners and experts alike will find comprehensive step-by-step instructions that can make the reader’s introduction to the latest versions of Visual Studio and SQL Server far easier.
Key topic coverage includes:
- Data access architectures and how to choose the best strategy for Windows Forms, ASP.NET, XML Web Services, and SQL Server CLR executables. Where do these make sense and how much will they cost to build and maintain?
- SQL Server and relational database fundamentals and inner-machinery. How does SQL Server work and why is it important that developers know?
- Making the development experience more productive through judicious use of the Visual Studio toolset, and how to know when the wizards can help.
- Using the latest ADO.NET data provider efficiently and safely.
- How to protect the security of your database–and your job–by avoiding common mistakes.
- How to build secure, efficient, scalable applications in less time with fewer resources–how to create faster code faster.
- How to leverage the potential of SQL Server CLR executables and knowing when these features make sense.
- How to work with your DBA to maintain database integrity and security.
- Working with the new Visual Studio report controls to expose your organization’s data safely and easily with or without leveraging existing SQL Server Reporting Services technology.
About the author(s)
William R. Vaughn is the President of Beta V Corporation and a Microsoft MVP. In 2000 he retired from Microsoft after 14 years to focus on mentoring, speaking, and writing. His specialty is data access application design especially when connecting to SQL Server–over the years he’s written 12 books on the subject. He’s a popular speaker at technical conferences all over the world where his wit and no-holds-barred technical insights win him rave reviews. William is also a member of the prestigious INETA Speaker’s Bureau. His works include articles for SQL Server Magazine and a bi-weekly editorial for Processor Magazine as well as books published by Microsoft Press and Apress.
Table of Contents (abbreviated)
- Introduction
- Chapter 1 Exploring Application Architectures
- Chapter 2 How Does SQL Server Work?
- Chapter 3 Relational Databases 101
- Chapter 4 Getting Started with Visual Studio
- Chapter 5 Managing Executables with the Server Explorer
- Chapter 6 Building Data Sources, DataSets, and TableAdapters
- Chapter 7 Managing Data Tools and Data Binding
- Chapter 8 Getting Started with ADO.NET
- Chapter 9 Getting Connected
- Chapter 10 Managing SqlCommand Objects
- Chapter 11 Executing SqlCommand Objects
- Chapter 12 Managing Updates
- Chapter 13 Managing SQL Server CLR Executables
- Chapter 14 Creating and Managing Reports
- Chapter 15 Summary and Wintry: Where We Are Now
- Appendix I Installing the Examples and Test Databases
- Appendix II Reinstalling the DACW and Other Missing Functionality in Visual Studio
- Appendix III Monitoring SQL Server
- Appendix IV Creating and Managing Server-Side Cursors
