Post reply

Help with book choice

  • July 27, 2011 at 6:47 am

    #245036

    Hi,

    I am new to SQL and are studying towards the 70-432 exam. Which book would be best to use between these two?

    http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Microsoft-Server-2008-Administration/dp/0470440910/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311768890&sr=8-1

    OR

    http://www.amazon.com/MCTS-Self-Paced-Training-70-432-Pro-Certification/dp/0735626057/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311768922&sr=1-1

    I am aiming to write the exam in September, if anyone can please guide me a little

    Thanks

  • July 27, 2011 at 7:00 am

    #1359196

    Hi,

    I used the second book(Microsoft self paced training kit) and it was useful. I have not used the other one.

    Ryan
    //All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them//

  • July 27, 2011 at 7:04 am

    #1359199

    Thanks, did you pass the 70-432 exam with it?

  • July 27, 2011 at 7:18 am

    #1359221

    I went the upgrade path so I did not have to take the implementation & maintenance for 2008.

    The first book is more of a reference and it is not going to help you with objectives for the exam.

    The 2nd would be more applicable to the exam. I have the equivalent for 2005.

    The following book looks interesting and I would consider purchasing.

    http://www.amazon.com/MCTS-Self-Paced-Training-70-432-Pro-Certification/dp/0735626057/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311768922&sr=1-1

    For better, quicker answers on T-SQL questions, click on the following...
    http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Best+Practices/61537/

    For better answers on performance questions, click on the following...
    http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/SQLServerCentral/66909/

  • July 27, 2011 at 7:48 am

    #1359262

    Thanks for the help!!

  • July 27, 2011 at 8:05 am

    #1359276

    I had the wrong link in my clipboard.

    The 2nd book that you mention is good but is it enough to help you pass the exam? It depends.

    The following link contains the book that I would consider.

    http://www.amazon.com/70-432-Microsoft-Implementation-Maintenance-Textbook/dp/0470183764/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311772172&sr=1-5

    I like to use a variety of sources in preparing for an Exam.

    Hands on experience and/or practical exercises are very helpful.

    For better, quicker answers on T-SQL questions, click on the following...
    http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Best+Practices/61537/

    For better answers on performance questions, click on the following...
    http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/SQLServerCentral/66909/

  • July 27, 2011 at 8:45 am

    #1359323

    Yes, I passed the exam.

    Ryan
    //All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them//

  • July 27, 2011 at 9:24 am

    #1359377

    Cool; congrats.

    If I can throw a shout out at the original topic; while it's no substitute for huge index books (which sometimes you need), if you are on a major certification path and have the funds (or company to supply), I would check out the Video series that CBTNuggets puts out.

    I used their videos along with my reading for my 70-433 exam. It's not "lecture" based, but instead demo learning via example. It helped me to remember where things actually "live" inside Studio as well.

  • July 27, 2011 at 9:37 am

    #1359399

    Thanks, will check out the CBT Nuggets training videos. How do they compare to the Trainsignal training videos for SQL Server administration?

  • July 27, 2011 at 9:49 am

    #1359424

    As good as in I have no idea what you're talking about 😀 Sorry, don't know that series.

    Perhaps a "clue" to whatever the right answer would be is that http://www.cbtnuggets.com/ is a broad training site, so they do certs in MSoft DB, Programming, Web, etc... nonMicrosoft (linux & cisco are big), PMI, Zend, etc... meaning that if they're really broad, they're NOT "just SQL people". I have no idea if that helps..

    For me, 70-433 was 15 vids approx 25-35min each (first 3 are basic). 70-451 (currently working on ) is 20 vids the same. I found 8 hours watch time was pretty much all I could do in a 2 week time anyway given work/family/life. (and I don't want to mislead you, I took several practice tests and MSDN reading as well). I'd say the vids prep'd me 80% of the way, and I got the last 20% on my own. Scored 96% on exam if that means anything.

  • July 27, 2011 at 10:24 am

    #1359465

    Wow that's pretty impresive!! I will definately have a look at the nuggets training as well. A friend of mine gave me the trainsignal training videos. http://www.traisignal.com also a big company providing training on many fields. I watched those videos and they helped allot, but I feel I need more training before I will be able to pass the exam. Did you have any experience prior to studying for 70-433 ie were you working in a SQL enviroment? I am currently in a different job that has nothing to do with SQL or even IT. I want to get out badly and work as a dba

  • July 27, 2011 at 11:54 am

    #1359568

    Lord yes, I've been doing SQL DB Dev/DBA/.NET code Windows/Web/utility development for 10 years. So to a certain extent I "better" pass high on certain ones. That being said, even doing the first exam (near the end of the lessons) hit into some things in 2008 that I had not done much of in SQL (CLR is an example; basically .NET inside the SQL environ), which has helped a lot.

    "DBA" is a tough world and I would make sure you're careful in how you describe what you want to do too. Even these days "SQL DBA" is too broad of a term (people abuse the term badly), so as you test/practice/work you'll find out things you're naturally better at and what you then end up wanting to do. Thats why microsoft seperates the tracks out into things like Database Admin, Database Dev, Database BizIntel, etc etc.

    Case in point: I've been a sysAdmin on several SQL DB boxes for 10 years easy, adding tables/sp/UDF/vw/users/roles etc; design trigs/SSIS packages/etc. While those are some main "admin" functions, others like Clustering/Replication/DBCC custom work/etc (all very important) are not my thing. So that'd be like saying my DB Developer skill = high, DB Admin = moderate.

    Good path to be on, so good luck. One thing that's been great is both the ToolSets and training materials have gotten significantly better in the last 10years, so those things help when starting up for sure.

  • July 27, 2011 at 12:05 pm

    #1359578

    Thanks! Awsome post and very helpful. Yes I saw the term DBA covers allot and is a very broad spectrum. Luckily I'm not entirely new to databases. I really enjoy what I've learnt thus far and now I'm and the right track. I have much to learn and have spoken to several DBAs for advice. The general point is that I shouldn't try and learn everythin abou sql server because there is way to much and all never know anything. As I work in the enviroment I will most definately start to specialize in a certain field. Obviously ill need to find my strenghts first! Thanks again for the advice and help!

  • July 27, 2011 at 12:06 pm

    #1359579

    Thanks! Awsome post and very helpful. Yes I saw the term DBA covers allot and is a very broad spectrum. Luckily I'm not entirely new to databases. I really enjoy what I've learnt thus far and now I'm and the right track. I have much to learn and have spoken to several DBAs for advice. The general point is that I shouldn't try and learn everythin abou sql server because there is way to much and all never know anything. As I work in the enviroment I will most definately start to specialize in a certain field. Obviously ill need to find my strenghts first! Thanks again for the advice and help!

Viewing 14 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply