Current Book Reviews

• "C# Online.NET book reviews are aimed primarily at C# programmers and developers. Therefore, I do not normally review books sporting Visual Basic .NET source code—instead of C#—examples. If I did, I would normally have to penalize a book for using VB .NET examples. However, the reality is that most SQL Server shops use VB or Visual Basic .NET. So, most of the best SQL Server books still use VB examples. I chose to review this title for two reasons. One, the book has been very highly rated by readers. Two, the author flatteringly (to C# programmers) discusses why he chose to neglect C# examples—"I expect most C# developers can easily translate Visual Basic .NET to C#. But the same can't be said for a portion of Visual Basic .NET developers…". So, caveat emptor.

First of all, the book is in its seventh edition: this tells us the author is doing something right. Not many titles survive in the technical publishing market for seven iterations. This version is a major rewrite due to all the changes in SQL Server 2005 and Visual Studio 2005.

Secondly, the book weighs in at over a thousand pages. But, SQL Server is a massive subject; so, a comprehensive treatment is going to be a tome. Although it is not organized like an encyclopedia, the book is so comprehensive and detailed that it is hard not to call it one. It includes best practices, examples, and analyses of application design and implementation strategies. And, the book answers the most frequently asked questions found in newsgroups and on public forums—i.e., those things which give the most people the most trouble. And, unlike most SQL Server books, this is one is designed to accommodate not only SQL Server 2005 developers but those of earlier versions as well.

The author is writing about a subject he knows inside and out. The author has been in and around SQL Server development for many years. And, it shows in his frank assessments of what works and what does not as well as in his frequent insights, tips, and IMHOs. Often, he takes the time to justify his opinions by running code tests. His style is very readable and intimate; yet, the text retains its appeal for tech weenies. "

InformIT

• Since 1994 when he wrote his first “Hitchhiker’s Guide”, William Vaughn has been providing developers all over the world the intimate details of how SQL Server can be accessed and managed from RAD languages like Visual Basic and Visual Basic .NET. With the 7th Edition, Bill has completely rewritten this encyclopedic work from cover to cover–giving readers his insightful views on how applications should be built to maximize both developer and code performance. Visual Studio and the languages it hosts have never been as sophisticated as they are today–the same can be said for SQL Server. This makes it even more important for developers to understand how to best leverage their features without being held back by their complexity. That’s what this book is all about–making it easier for developers regardless of their know-how.

The 7th edition is unique in that it’s designed to provide not only up-to-date tutorials on the latest development tools provided by Visual Studio and SQL Server, but also a solid platform of architectural advice and rich examples for developers trying to choose between the myriad of platform options. Beginners and experts alike will find comprehensive step-by-step instructions that can make the reader’s introduction to the latest versions of Visual Studio and SQL Server far easier.