Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 Reporting Services Step by Step

Gain a solid understanding of T-SQL—and write better queries

Master the fundamentals of Transact-SQL—and develop your own code for querying and modifying data in Microsoft® SQL Server® 2012. Led by a SQL Server expert, you’ll learn the concepts behind T-SQL querying and programming, and then apply your knowledge with exercises in each chapter. Once you understand the logic behind T-SQL, you’ll quickly learn how to write effective code—whether you’re a programmer or database administrator.

Discover how to:

• Work with programming practices unique to T-SQL
• Create database tables and define data integrity
• Query multiple tables using joins and subqueries
• Simplify code and improve maintainability with table expressions
• Implement insert, update, delete, and merge data modification strategies
• Tackle advanced techniques such as window functions, pivoting and grouping sets
• Control data consistency using isolation levels, and mitigate deadlocks and blocking
• Take T-SQL to the next level with programmable objects

Build innovative, XML-based solutions faster—with expert guidance from three veterans of the Microsoft InfoPath design team. Discover how to use common InfoPath design patterns to accelerate the development of forms with a dynamic, easy-to-use front end that connects seamlessly with middle-tier services and back-end servers, including databases, Web services, and Microsoft BizTalk® Server. The authors walk you through a range of programming scenarios—explaining the pros and cons of various approaches and sharing their best practices and undocumented tips. You’ll also find real-world examples, including a complete, three-tier business solution.

Discover how to:

• Customize and deploy your own InfoPath forms, taking advantage of ready-made sample code
• Create “smart” InfoPath forms to provide a dynamic experience using conditional visibility, data validation, and autopopulation
• Design a rich form interface with structured and dynamic sections, multiple views, and calculations
• Build forms-based workflow processing into InfoPath forms using e-mail, SharePoint® servers, and BizTalk
• Use the Microsoft .NET common language runtime-based object model to increase development flexibility
• Receive and submit data for your forms using back-end databases and Web services

Extend your programming skills with a comprehensive study of the key features of SQL Server 2008. Delve into the new core capabilities, get practical guidance from expert developers, and put their code samples to work. This is a must-read for Microsoft .NET and SQL Server developers who work with data access—at the database, business logic, or presentation levels.

Discover how to:

• Query complex data with powerful Transact-SQL enhancements
• Use new, non-relational features: hierarchical tables, native file streaming, and geospatial capabilities
• Exploit XML inside the database to design XML-aware applications
• Consume and deliver your data using Microsoft LINQ, Entity Framework, and data binding
• Implement database-level encryption and server auditing
• Build and maintain data warehouses
• Use Microsoft Excel to build front ends for OLAP cubes, and MDX to query them
• Integrate data mining into applications quickly and effectively

Get code samples on the Web.

Teach yourself the fundamentals of ADO.NET 4 -- one step at a time. With this practical, learn-by-doing tutorial, you get the clear guidance and hands-on examples you need to start creating datacentric applications for Windows® and the Web.

Discover how to:

• Connect to external data sources, including databases and other data formats
• Use ADO.NET Entity Framework to interact with underlying data stores
• Build Entity Framework models with graphical design tools in Microsoft Visual Studio 2010
• Analyze information stored in ADO.NET with various LINQ providers
• Bind data directly to Windows Forms and Web Forms to drive information to users
• Manage disconnected or standalone data and information
• Go beyond the core functionality of ADO.NET to manipulate data in more advanced ways

Your step by step digital content includes:

• Practice exercises
• Fully searchable online edition of this book -- with unlimited access on the Web

Portable and precise, this pocket-sized guide delivers ready answers for the day-to-day administration of SQL Server. Zero in on core support and maintenance tasks using quick-reference tables, instructions, and lists. You’ll get the focused information you need to save time and get the job done—whether at your desk or in the field!

Get fast facts to:

• Manage SQL Server services and clients
• Configure, manage, and tune servers
• Implement policy-based management
• Administer security and access
• Monitor server activity and tune performance
• Automate maintenance
• Perform backups and recovery