I'm very new to SQL Server. I got a task from my boss where it involves SQL Server. He gave me a little introduction about it but I would like to know if there are other ways on how to deal with it.
I have a little background on Access but not that so intensive.
I would like to ask your opinion, where to start if you're dealing with SQL Server data bank.
Would appreciate your ideas.
just for your information: microsoft based products are generally not plain sql but they have some additional commands you might use. this means that SQL written for a microsoft sql server might not entirely run on a mysql- or postgre-server.
therefore you need to know what your sql-knowledge needs to be applied to.
in my opinion, this page is a good start where you can find tutos including examples etc.
regards
If you're familiar with Access, you might take a little time to review some queries you created that you know well in Access's SQL-mode. It's not perfect SQL, but it might help you understand some of the things you've already done in a different frame.
http://www.sqlcourse.com/ pretty much explains all the basics for using SQL as a language. It will help you to understand the basic statements and how to create queries. I would then use: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms167593.aspx to learn how to use the SQL server management studio and get familiar with the Microsoft way of doing SQL.
If you're looking for books on the subject, I really enjoyed and learned a great deal from the two books by Michael Hernandez, SQL Queries for Mere Mortals and Database Design for Mere Mortals. Both highly recommended!
Marc
Use MSDN as well! It's extremely valuable!
Also, just for reference, do you know what version of SQL Server you're going to be working with? Is the database in a production environment where users are directly/indirectly relying on the data stored there?
This resource isn't specifically for SQL Server, but it is a good vendor neutral intro to generic SQL and everything in here will apply to SQL Server:
http://headfirstlabs.com/books/hfsql/
Like the w3c schools page, here is the corresponding try queries yourself page:
Any idea if your company has access to any online reference book libraries?
My last two have been members of at least one site where you can log in and get access to probably thousands of coding/database books. I've found it really helpful in the past and it might be worth asking.