70-431 Microsoft Press Book frustration
-
So I have the 70-431 Microsoft Press book and the lesson questions are driving me nuts. It seems to me that half of the answers to the questions don't sound like they belong to the "choice" that was given. But I was willing to deal with several sentences of "explanation" to get to the point until I got to Chapter 16, Lesson 2.
Question: Which of the following are required before a database can be reverted from a Database snapshot (choose all that apply)
Answers:
A) Full text catalogs on the source database must be dropped
B) Users cannot be accessing the source database or the Database snapshot
C) Log shipping must be stopped.
D) All Database Snapshots except the Database Snapshot used for the revert must be dropped.
Now, silly me. I think "Well, the book does mention the dropping of full text catalogs, but it doesn't say if they have to be dropped beforehand or if the drop is an automatic part of the process, so I'll choose A. And B is rather obvious, so I'll choose that. C is implausible and D.. well, you can only have one snapshot on a database at a time, so that's wrong as well. And unless I'm entirely braindead, you don't have to drop other databases' snapshot to revert the first database anyway."
Then I get to the answers and find out that it's B & D. I can understand why A is wrong (though I quibble over the not-enough-information in the book part). But D???? And here's the author's reason:
D. CORRECT. Only one Database Snapshot can exist against a source database when a database is reverted from a Database Snapshot.
Has anyone else had any problems with this book? Can those of you who have taken the exam tell me if the question / answer logic is similar to this?
I hope not because that's just plain stupid! But if it is, I'd like to get in the correct frame of mind for answering completely illogical questions.
Sorry... Just needed to vent about stupidity in study materials. And if I'm wrong about assuming you don't have to drop the snapshots of DB "2" and "3" to revert DB "1" to its snapshot, please let me know.
-
This is not a problem with the book, its the format of the questions. They seem to be designed to trick you. This is why before you do the exam you should do the sample exams that come with the book, and measure up, and if you feel like you really need it, trancender. Do the exams over and over and over and over and over..... You get used to the format of the exams and the questions get easier. use the study mode, as even when you get questions wrong you will learn from your mistakes. if i had not spent hours and hours doing the sample exams i would defo have failed.
-
Also, you can have multiple snapshots on a single source database, so, if you have a snapshot of a database at 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00, and you need to revert back to the 10:00 snapshot, it makes sense that you need to drop the 9:00 and 11:00 snapshots first, doesn't it?
-
Lynn, I've tried multiple snapshots before, but always gotten an error. I tried it again this morning and, of course, it worked this time. Which is confusing, especially since every source I've ever read has said "You can only have one snapshot at a time on a database". Including the book I'm reading (page 609).
Granted, I suppose I didn't take the context the way the author originally meant (which is my fault), but it seems to me the authors of some of these books aren't terribly clear with their explanations. In fact, I've found several questions in this particular book about a feature not even covered in any of the preceeding lessons or chapters.
GRRRR.
After my exams I'm going to have a bonfire with this book as kindling. Anyone want to join me? I'm roasting marshmallows! @=)
And thank you all for letting me vent. Now back to your regularly schedule exam cram sessions.
-
Hmm. I've just realized why I'm being so petty about this. When I read books like this I tend to evaluate them for later recommendation. And here's what I've found:
This book leaves some holes in its explanations, as if it expects you to have some experience (no matter how limited) in SQL Server 2005. If a person has experience in 2000 or earlier, they might be able to get away with using this book, though I would recommend relying on multiple sources rather than just this if he/she is going to take the exam.
And if someone is a rank beginner, no (or little) previous SQL Server experience, I don't recommend this book at all. It assumes too much about your level of knowledge and treats itself (rightly so) as a resource for studying up on the exam.
So now I'm curious. Would you recommend this book to anyone as a beginner's resource? If so, why? If not, why not?
What was your level of SQL Server experience when you read this book and how well did it help / hinder you? Did you have to rely on other books or resources to help get you through the exam or learning SQL Server?
-
OK, first, I didn't work on any 431 books, so don't blame me
Second, you definitely can have multiple snapshots on a database. There might be some restrictions on settings, so maybe that's what's wrong, but I know I've created multiple ones for testing. You just can't have multiple ones for restore. Be sure if you create a second, you change the file names
Last, the MS Press books are the first to come out, usually because they're being written by people that are close with MS and have ties to the developers. Us authors in the real world have to fumble and try things ourselves and usually don't write until the RTM is out. So the MS Press ones have had places where something was written based on a beta/CTP and then not caught when the RTM releases. Personally I don't like the MS Press books that come out early for this reason.
-
Don't worry, Steve. I'm not blaming anyone whose name isn't on the cover. @=)
Actually, your last statement makes a lot of sense. That explains why this book has got me so tied up in knots where other books don't.
As far as the multiple snapshots go, I don't know why it never worked for me. Like I said, I tried it after reading Lynn's post and it worked fine (for the first time I've ever tried it). Now I just feel foolish. @=)
-
Brandie,
Actually, I haven't purchased any of the "test help" books. I have quite a few of the MS Press books related to SQL Server 2005 which I rely on, but I also rely on BOL for information regarding SQL Server. I also take what I read with a grain a salt and do some testing to be sure what is said works.
I haven't taken any of the certification tests yet, but plan on it this year as part of my PD plan.
-
I have this exact book and I would not have passed the exam without it. It does not cover absolutely everything for the exam, but if it did, it would be 3 times its size! its still very comprehensive and gives you enough to go off to BOI if you need to.
I wouldnt recommend the books to a beginner though. They demand that you have a basic knowledge of databases, and expirience with sql server. if your an absolute beginner though, you should be just learning, rather trying to get certs. get the certs when you have the foundation knowledge to build on.
never build a house on sand
-
HA! I'm not going crazy!!!
I just found the errata for this book on Microsoft's Website. No wonder I'm frustrated. There are a LOT of typos in this stupid book.
Moral of this story? Download the errata (type in the 13 digit ISBN with hypens in MS's "Search Support (KB)" box on the website) BEFORE you start studying. It'll save you a lot of headaches!
-
Thanks for the tip. I wish I had found that 500 pages ago too.
-
And i'm SUPER happy I found it before I started studying for this exam (and the others i'm considering as well (MCAD, MCSD)
Thanks!
-
I'm glad my forgetfulness could help someone out. @=)
-
I agree the book is not for beginners. It does assume some basic knowledge of SQl Server.
I bought Transender and it really saved my bacon. I passed 70-443 a few months ago and
found it much more difficult.
When the snows fall and the white winds blow,The lone wolf dies but the pack survives.
Once you've accepted your flaws, no one can use them against you.
-
Going over the practice test again. And here's an annoying question "Which of the following are valid configuration options?"
This is why this book frustrates me. It doesn't explain WHAT you're trying to configure. Server config? Database Config? Profiler Trace config? You have to guess from the listed answers.
I have never seen a question *that* bad on a real Microsoft exam. Usually they at least give you what part of SQL Server they're talking about (on the real exams).
GAH. I hope exam 70-431 isn't really like this...
Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 14 (of 14 total)
You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply