February 5, 2012 at 3:13 pm
Hi all,
Finally I was able to install the SQL Server 2008 R2 Express with Advanced Services on my computer that is currently running Windows XP.
I'm completely new to this and where do I start to get myself familiar with the database. Are there any books or online tutorials that you guys recommend for a newb? I found a book in the library "The Beginning of SQL Server 2008 Administration/..." by Chris Leiter and I will pick it up next week, what do you think about book?
Eventually I want to get certified as a SQL Server 2008 DB Adminstrator and become a MSCTS in the near future.
I apprciate all inputs.
February 5, 2012 at 9:22 pm
I think it's great that you have installed SQL 2008 R2 Express. Do you have and experience with relational databases at all? Personally I think its important to understand how they work in order to provide good administratio.
There are tons of SQL Server resources online including SSCentral. I recommend you download and install the AdventureWorks database from MSFT. It will teach you how to attach a database and that is a start.
In addition to develop your concept of databases and SQL coding skills, think of a case which would need a database like a video rental store... plan out the tables and practice creating them. It will be fun starting something from scratch.
Cheers!
February 5, 2012 at 10:54 pm
Here is set of videos and tutorial for SQL server beginer, it wil help you to start the journry of sql server.
February 6, 2012 at 1:36 pm
I'm sure you got Books On Line a.k.a. BOL alongside your SQL Server installation; start by reading about architecture then move to the example databases.
Once you start to get familiar try to answer questions on this forum by yourself - check your proposed answers against the advise of senior posters; each time you do not understand something, research and test it.
Good luck.
_____________________________________
Pablo (Paul) Berzukov
Author of Understanding Database Administration available at Amazon and other bookstores.
Disclaimer: Advice is provided to the best of my knowledge but no implicit or explicit warranties are provided. Since the advisor explicitly encourages testing any and all suggestions on a test non-production environment advisor should not held liable or responsible for any actions taken based on the given advice.February 6, 2012 at 7:15 pm
I do have some experience with Microsoft Access and ASP. But no experience with SQL Server at all.
Thanks for your input
February 7, 2012 at 12:54 pm
Check out http://www.sqlsaturday.com. SQLSaturday is a whole day (obviously, on a Saturday) of free training in SQL Server, and is held in many cities across the world. It is a great place to learn about SQL Server, and to meet people that work and play with SQL Server. Check out the site to see if one is being held near you. They are put on by PASS (Professional Association for SQL Server).
February 7, 2012 at 7:00 pm
vikingDBA (2/7/2012)
Check out http://www.sqlsaturday.com. SQLSaturday is a whole day (obviously, on a Saturday) of free training in SQL Server, and is held in many cities across the world. It is a great place to learn about SQL Server, and to meet people that work and play with SQL Server. Check out the site to see if one is being held near you. They are put on by PASS (Professional Association for SQL Server).
Thanks for the website. I've sent them a suggested location. It seems those are on-demand sessions as opposed to periodically scheduled sessions in one location. Have you attended one of these sessions?
February 8, 2012 at 6:24 am
Yes, I've been to several. They are very informative and a lot of fun. I spoke at one in 2010. That was my first major speaking engagement. Great opportunity to learn and network.
February 8, 2012 at 6:55 pm
vikingDBA (2/8/2012)
Yes, I've been to several. They are very informative and a lot of fun. I spoke at one in 2010. That was my first major speaking engagement. Great opportunity to learn and network.
Nice. I wish they will have something in NYC in the near future. I dont think they will host a session if only handful of people requested it in a area. But how much people can learn just attending that one session?
Originally I thought this is something weekly or monthly in each designated locations nation wide.
February 9, 2012 at 6:15 am
For each location, it is usually once a year. They are not on-going, in the sense of college courses or continuing education courses, that may meet daily or weekly. This is something like a DevConnections or PASS summit. They gather people from all around to get together to learn. It is a big endeavor, and takes a lot of logistical planning.
If you are wanting classes, check for any local colleges, or community colleges. If they don't teach anything for you in the regular class schedule, most have continuing education departments, which teach shorter (and cheaper, normally) courses geared toward working adults, usually evening classes. I know a local college here teaches SQL Server courses in this way.
February 9, 2012 at 8:51 am
Rather than use the Express Edition, which is extremely limited I would suggest purchasing the DEVELPER EDITION available from Amazon.com for less than $50 U.S. Dollars. It is equivalent to the Enterprise edition (priced at $3,919.00 or more), but just may NOT be used for Production databases. It loads very easily on your desk top computer. The DVD includes the BOL (Books On Line help file).
I have installed the DEVELOPER editions of 2005, 2008, 2008R2 on my stand alone computer. They are great learning tools.
February 9, 2012 at 6:37 pm
bitbucket-25253 (2/9/2012)
Rather than use the Express Edition, which is extremely limited I would suggest purchasing the DEVELPER EDITION available from Amazon.com for less than $50 U.S. Dollars. It is equivalent to the Enterprise edition (priced at $3,919.00 or more), but just may NOT be used for Production databases. It loads very easily on your desk top computer. The DVD includes the BOL (Books On Line help file).I have installed the DEVELOPER editions of 2005, 2008, 2008R2 on my stand alone computer. They are great learning tools.
What do u mean by your last paragraph? I'm completely new to SQL Server, so I think learning with Express Edition is a good start.
February 9, 2012 at 7:20 pm
Discusman (2/9/2012)
bitbucket-25253 (2/9/2012)
Rather than use the Express Edition, which is extremely limited I would suggest purchasing the DEVELPER EDITION available from Amazon.com for less than $50 U.S. Dollars. It is equivalent to the Enterprise edition (priced at $3,919.00 or more), but just may NOT be used for Production databases. It loads very easily on your desk top computer. The DVD includes the BOL (Books On Line help file).I have installed the DEVELOPER editions of 2005, 2008, 2008R2 on my stand alone computer. They are great learning tools.
What do u mean by your last paragraph? I'm completely new to SQL Server, so I think learning with Express Edition is a good start.
Now remember the DEVELOPER edition is the same as the ENTERPRISE edition. With that in mind go to:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc645993(SQL.100).aspx
It is a long list, but scroll down and note all the features that are available in the ENTERPRISE edition and NOT in the Express Editions
In my humble opinion it is better to have all the features, some of which I can ignore if I wish, than want to do something like schedule a database backup which I can not do directly in the express edition(s) and which is so important for Data Base Administrators to know.
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