SQLServerCentral has always been committed to bringing a wide range of high-quality technical education to the SQL Server community, and now we’re making it even easier for you to develop the skills you need in a whole host of topics. Today we are launching Kalen Delaney’s SQL Stairway, providing both easy introductions and deep dives to guide you through several SQL Server topics in regular, measured steps.

While there is, without a doubt, a huge amount of great information already available on SQLServerCentral, it’s not always easy to navigate, and it’s not always clear what level of expertise any given article is aimed at. If you’re not already comfortable with the topic you’re trying to skill up in, that can be pretty intimidating. If you need to learn about a particular technology in a hurry, it can be downright frustrating.

To make life easier, we’ve worked with SQL Server expert, author and trainer Kalen Delaney to design a series of SQL Tutorials which span every ability level from “absolute beginner” to “production ready skills”, so that anyone can jump in and start learning.

To give you a taste of what we have in store for you, here’s our starting line-up:

·        David Durant teaching us all about Indexing, starting with an introduction to Indexing in general, before really getting into the guts of Pages and Extents.

·        Sebastian Meine brings his PhD in Computer Science and considerable experience to bear as he explains the finer points of Replication.

·        Dan Guzman (SQL Server MVP, performance specialist, and SQL Server Magazine author) shines a penetrating light on Tracing.

·        Richard Waymire (consultant, MCT, and previously Principle Program Manager at Microsoft) share’s his considerable knowledge of the SQL Server Agent.

This is just the start; we’ll be bringing in more top-notch authors to write about more need-to-know  topics. Ultimately, you’ll be able come to the SQL Stairways to find a clear guide to any significant aspect of SQL Server technology, no matter your level of expertise. No matter the topic, you’ll be able to develop skills which you can use in your production environment in no time at all.

Of course, we need to make sure we’re providing the education that you need, so if there’s a particular topic you think we should cover, please do get in touch  and let us know what it is, and why you think it’s important. On the other hand, if you think you’ve got what it takes to write one of Kalen Delaney’s SQL Stairways yourself, send us an email with the topic you’d like to cover, and why you think you’re the person for the job. As always, you can get involved by sending us your feedback and sharing the news with your colleagues.

We sincerely hope you enjoy your next steps towards mastering SQL Server, and please let us know what you think about the series.