5 comments about Access Cookbook, 2nd Edition.

1. Those familiar with Access may not be familiar with O'Reilly's Cookbook series. The Cookbook series takes common tough problems and provides simple recipes, often with multiple alternative takes, to solve the problem. The value is not only in reference, it also shows you new techniques for using Access or VB is new ways that you may not have thought of.
   
   I highly recommend this book for any experienced Access user, or anyone looking to become an Access expert. This book will stretch your skills and make it easier to nod your head yes when your boss asks you to solve some tricky problem.



2. This book I would recommend for people who use Access as their back end, and need to add some automation to their back end. It deals mostly with using VBA to solve problems, like:
   * How to create an input box where you can get some better info than the standard VBA one
   * Call Excel functions, and apply them to Access data
   * Figure out which users have a shared database open, if you're
   doing a blended Access/CF solution
   * Managing report printing (see next set of bullets)
   
   I recommend checking out this book under the following circumstances:
   * You have internal and external clients hitting your database. In a situation like that, you can have your internal users access the database using a well-designed Access application, which this book will give you some tricks on how to create.
   * In the alternative, you want to manage and analyze your data, and create print reports. That's where Access just as a stand-alone application gives a substantial advantage over any Web technology.
   
   For a ColdFusion developer, there are some topics in this book that probably wouldn't do much good:
   * Adding Smart Tags functionality to a database - if you're expanding beyond the reach of Microsoft Office, Smart Tags prove to be a nifty proprietary parlor trick
   * Using Access' security management tools to manage user rights to database objects. If I run a Windows server, I would use Challenge and Response to create NTFS based permissions on my pages in my application that manage data. Otherwise, I'll use application-based usernames and passwords, same net result.
   * Exporting Access data as XML using pre-defined schemas. Not bad, but ColdFusion has far better technology.
   
   Don't get me wrong - those last three bullets are not any disrespect to this well-written, well-organized guide. I'm just looking at, "What topics would interest you if you're a ColdFusion developer?"
   
   If you do want to learn more about Access database development as an art unto itself, this is not the place to begin. This is the place to arrive at.



3. When I started my job, my first assignment was develop several Access databases. What they wanted was beyond what I knew of Access. After buying this book and Access Database Programming and Design, I was well on my way to develop a quite advanced Access database application. I would ask myself, "I wonder if I can..." After consulting this book for the anwser, BAM! I found it there. This book covers everything from simple VBA to advanced techniques such as incorporating a email system into a database, linked dropdown combo boxes using SQL, and creating VB Form control that tells you who all is currently in a database using ADO and VBA! I would say anyone wanting to cook a mean Access database should definitely pick this one up. It is an invaluable reference if you want to develop professional Access databases with incredible functionality!



4. The Access Developer's Handbook Set (search ISBN: 0782140114) and in particular, Volume 1: Desktop Edition (search ISBN: 0782123708) is my definitive resource to approximately 4 years of Access development. I've got more stickies and highlights in this set than all other Access books combined. So when I came across the Access cookbook and realized that the same two indispensible authors (Getz & Litwin) put together a resource of Access developer solutions, I had to have it.
   
   This book has not let me down. It is certainly geared towards the intermediate to advanced Access professional developers who already understand the basics of Access and more importantly, who also understand the shortcomings of Access and the benefits of getting around those shortcomings. There are about 170 solutions in this book that are segmented into 18 chapters of high-level topics such as Queries, Forms, XML, UI, VBA, Windows APIs, even Smart Tags. I would be really surprised to find someone who picked up this text, thumbed through the solutions, and found that there was nothing they could get out of this book.
   
   I would say that if you are developing a professional Access front-end and/or database, you owe it to yourself to buy this book and review each solution before you release or ship your product. I did, and found either new answers and existing improvements to many of the things I was struggling with during my development cycles.



5. I'll keep this brief, as my title says it all. I have been developing access applications on a professional level for many years. Have several applications that large companies use to run there business. This cookbook has helped me in more ways then I can count. I wish I could find more like it. I use it just as a cookbook. Look thru to find a similiar situation that I am trying to solve. The examples are written very well. The code is very exact and on the money. While most of the examples listed are not always exactly like what I'm trying to solve, it definitely gets the creative juices flowing on how to solve my problem.
   
   The other good things, there are several useful "tips" that you can use to implement in many of your applications that will help the users have a better experience.
   
   Definitely a must have if you wish to write serious applications.

5 comments about Professional SQL Server 2005 Programming (Programmer to Programmer).

1. I would highly recommend this book for both someone new to database development and for those who are migrating from earlier versions of SQL Server.
   
   Maybe I'm just a groupie for this author, since I've purchased this same book for SQL Server 7, 2000, and now 2005, but I continue to find his approach easily readable and full of practical advice that is immediately applicable to projects.
   
   Even as an experienced programmer with SQL Server, I'm glad I bought this book, rather than just a "what's new in 2005 version." After a quick scan of the table of contents, I easily found what was new in 2005 and focused on the parts that were relevant to our applications. It's also a great resource to have on the shelf. It has come in handy when our team runs into not-so-common problems. We've been able to crack it open and find exactly what we need.



2. I found this book extremely helpful in wrapping my brain around some very difficult to grasp concepts. The author writes in a way that's very easy to understand (especially with such a difficult topic such as SQL programming).



3. I've never been a fan of the Wrox product line, but purchased this book on the recommendation of a friend.
   I couldn't be happier. The author is one of the most knowledgeable, and he writes in an accessible style.
   I've heard some gripes about how he discusses the organization of his book a little too much, but the reasons for these passages are to reinforce the importance of the concepts being covered in relation to other concepts.
   I'd recommend this book to beginners who are fast learners, or to old hands that want to pick up a new trick or two.



4. The second topic I looked up I ran across this problem...
   
   Page 353:
   
   He says there are four different isolation levels you can set - that was in SQL Server 2000 - this book is about SQL Server 2005. Where is SET TRANSACTION ISOLATION LEVEL SNAPSHOT?
   
   Chapter 12, 'Transactions and Locks' is almost a cut and paste from his 'Transactions and Locks' chapter in SQL Server 2000 Programming!
   
   Encryption - Let's see - 2 pages, and 3/4 of a page is a copy of an image from BOL.
   
   His 2000 book is better.



5. When working with databases, there's querying, and everything else. A DBA might set up a database; an advanced user might progam stored procedures and triggers, ponder indexing, effectively use cursors, etc. - but if you just want to know how to write a query to accompish a task, this is *not* the right book to help you learn. Check out 'SQL Server 2005 T-SQL Recipes: A Problem-Solution Approach' by Sack.

5 comments about The Guru's Guide to Transact-SQL.

1. Although it's billed as a T-SQL book and it's written specifically for SQL Server 2000, I'd recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn more about SQL. Programming books are by and large a wasteland of fluff, bloat, poor writing, sloppy mistakes, and misinformation - this book is a happy exception. The writer clearly knows his stuff, he writes in a no-nonsense conversational style, and he has a knack for zeroing in on the tricky subtleties and making them clear. This is practically unheard of in the realm of programming literature. (Since writing this series of books, the author has been hired by the evil empire in Redmond, so I wouldn't expect his next book to be nearly as disarmingly frank and insightful as this one.)



2. This book was recommended by a SQL consultant our company hired to improve the speed of our servers and it was well worth it! It covered a lot of the topics he had trained us on and gave very easy to follow examples.



3. I bought this book seven years ago when doing my MCDBA in SQL Server 7.0. At the time I was focussing on getting my certifications and upon a cursory browsing, just couldn't get into this book.
   
   Well it's now 2007, and having spent the last 7 years working with SQL Server 7.0, 2000 and 2005 I decided it was time to try this book again. I mention this to give a reference to where I'm coming from when I type the following comments.
   
   First up, with the passage of time since publication, one would expect the material in this book to be well out of date - and as it turns out, you would not be disappointed. So before reading, I checked if any newer editions had been published since the first edition, and discovered there have been none - an assumed expectation considering the success of this book and that SQL Server has been updated and will continue to do so. As a consequence, expect some of the material and examples to be somewhat outdated (Transact-SQL syntax and methods have changed somewhat since publication). As an example, the section on error handling in stored procedures chapter has been outdated with TRY...CATCH exception handling, along with other examples of Transact-SQL syntax flagged to be retired.
   
   All that aside, the true value in this book is the Transact-SQL samples. The author progresses through a problem using increasingly advanced SQL statements and explains each along the way. There is a sequence of chapters on "Runs and Sequences", "Arrays", "Sets" and "Hierarchies" that I thought could have been referenced elsewhere with more pages spent on practical areas of interest. Otherwise, as you can read from other reviews, the material covered is generally of a high standard.
   
   As stated in other reviews, this is not a "Learn Transact-SQL" book, but more of a "Here is some Transact-SQL code that might help you".
   
   The CD included contains just the Transact-SQL code samples from the book and is arranged in per chapter folder hierarchy.
   
   Overall - a great if not somewhat terse effort. However, an updated version covering the Transact-SQL language changes in SQL 2005 would make this a 5 star book.



4. ...this would be it.
   
   I have worked with Microsoft SQL Server day in and day out for many years now, and I have owned this book ever since it first came out. I have had some pretty funky tasks to perform with data and this book has come through with excellent solutions each and every time. I absolutely cannot tout it highly enough. It is easy to read, and full of actually useful code examples and information rather than pages of code printouts that are just filler.
   
   If you work writing code for SQL Server, this book belongs on your bookshelf, if not on your desk.



5. The downside to this book is that it is from 2000, and the code snippets are no longer available online. Also, since this book was written, there is a new Microsoft SQL Server product called 2005, that this book doesn't talk about obviously.
   
   I don't recommend this book, because I really only got a few tips out of it. It's not suited well for a beginner or advanced user. It just kind of covers the whole range. And it's time to move on to books that use the latest software.

5 comments about MCSA/MCSE/MCDBA Self-Paced Training Kit: Microsoft SQL Server(TM) 2000 System Administration, Exam 70-228, Second Edition (Pro-Certification).

1. I used this book and went through all the 16 chapters.
   This book could use some more review and additions from Microsoft. Accompanying CD barely did the job. Examples did help but limited.
   You will have to use SQL BOL (Books On Line) to get the deep understanding of the subject.
   Passed the test with 864 (86%). So i guess the book worked.



2. I did not use this book to prep for an exam. Instead I used it for reference and it has been a good source of accurate information.



3. In just few words, you exceeded my expectations, in terms of quality of purchase, time for delivery, and follow-up you did excellent job.
   
   Thank you



4. The selling point of this book is that it is part of the Microsoft Certification process for three certifications. The other thing it seemed to have going for it was a full copy of SQL Server (120 days).
   
   What isn't said anywhere when you read the description and look at its content is that in addition to SQL Server, you will need Microsoft Server 2000, and IIS. Those are a couple of fairly high ticket items IF you can find them.
   
   Microsoft has moved on to 2003 versions of all of the above and consequently it would be better to certify in that version.
   
   If you're looking for a database certification, look to mySQL and PHP, or Postgres SQL. Yes it is linux and unix mostly (Windows versions also available). Certification in any of these is just as valuable and the Microsoft certifications. After spending thirty years in IT, it is certain that Linux and Unix are eventually going to capture the server market.
   
   Back to this particular book. It is a waste of money unless you have one mean machine loaded with Microsoft server, IIS and probably more. If you have such, great. If you don't, take another route.



5. This book was essential for me as a reference for an MCSE boot camp. It is now part of my reference library. Will answer many questions that pop up during the study process.

No comments about LINQ Pocket Reference (Pocket Reference (O'Reilly)).

5 comments about MCITP SQL Server 2005 Database Administration All-in-One Exam Guide (Exams 70-431, 70-443, & 70-444) (All-in-One).

1. I had already passed the 70-431 when I picked up this book, but it was great in helping me pass the 70-443, and I'm using it to study 70-444. The exam tips scattered throughout the book and the test specific notes at the end of the chapter (What you need to know) helped me focus on what was important. The practice questions in the back of each chapter and on the CD were realistic and challenging. I especially liked the explanations on the questions identifying why an answer was right, and why other answers were wrong.



2. This is the book I've been waiting for. Not only does the book have good explanations about many of the testable concepts, but the exercises have been great in showing me exactly how things work. As an example, I didn't really understand database mirroring, but the high availability strategies chapter included exercises where I was able to implement and configure a database mirror. After completing these exercises, I really understood database mirroring.



3. PREMISE: I am not yet over the obstacles (certification), I am just studying on this book, so I cannot say whether the book has helped me pass the exams or not.
   
   HOWEVER, judging from other certifications I achieved and the relative study books, this one will work, because it seems pretty comprehensive and detailed.
   
   It is a well-organized book, the pace is just right (and makes me think why one would want to read other books totaling 2000 pages or more to reach the same goal) and it gives tips and hints that I am sure will be valuable.
   
   The plus is that you can read it to learn about SQL Server 2005. It gives you a very good overview, and you feel that you are spending your time learning something.
   
   As a reference book it is quite superficial, i.e. it does not really expand much in any topic. This is fine though, if you are thinking of buying this book as a reference think again. That is not what is advertised.
   
   Four out of five stars in my opinion is be the best rating for a certification study guide: you cannot really make a certification guide something "special", so this type of books hardly ever gets five stars.
   
   However, there are two drawbacks that made me throttle back to three stars:
   
   Firstly, some of the answers to the end-of-chapter questions are wrong. They are easy to spot though, typically they start with "Correct Answer: C" (wrong) then they go on explaining why B is the correct answer.
   
   Secondly, the writing style is not exceedingly good. At the beginning it was just a little awkward to see the way some sentences are put together. Now that I am past the first half it is becoming somewhat annoying, and in some instances a little confusing.
   
   I do not blame the author: I think he did a very good job (nobody expects a SQL Server expert to write beautiful English prose, and lots of it). However, another pass at editing could have made this book much more enjoyable.



4. This is a great book! It is very well written and the material presented in a consitent and logical manner.
   
   Some of the material I knew before picking up this book. Since this would be my first MS cert, I read every section of the book. For the topics I already knew, I was impressed by how well Darril boiled the material down to the essence, the central point that you needed to learn. I was hoping that he'd do the same for the areas I did not know. I passed all three tests and this book was the reason.
   
   Read every page. Do every hands-on example. Review the exam tips and you'll not only pass the test but actually be able to do the work.



5. This book was well organized and helped me pass the 431 exam within a month of receiving this book.

1 comments about Database Systems: Design, Implementation, and Management, Eighth Edition.

1. Book does not come with the student content that it is suppose to come with. It is supposed to come with online appendices A though L and downloads for files used in each chapter. I would not advise to by a 130 dollar incomplete book. It was release in December of 2007 unprepared for people to use because it makes references to sites and files that don't exist but are supposed to. Signed Cheated patron. I want my money back.

3 comments about Foundations of SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence.

1. This book is indispensable. It will help expand my limited knowledge in the business intelligence space from FICO scoring and SAS programs to a wider universe.



2. I am new to BI. I needed a book to explain BI and the toolset in the SQL Server 2005. As I have been developing applciations for the last 8 years using Microsoft only technologies therefore I wanted to use SQL Server 2005 for BI path. I found this book very valuable for a new commer to BI like me.
   
   I have gone through only some of the chapters but it has started to make sense. The explanation is very clear and it shows that the writer knows the subject very well. Good arrangement of chapters. Not a boring book. I think after reading this book and going through all the excercises one would have a very good understanding of the subject and how to use to SQL server 2005 BI toolset.
   
   I would say this book puts you above the intermediate level from where you can understand the more complex books. Essential for someone wanting to choose BI as career path. Top work Lynn.



3. Lynn definitely knows the material. I have had the occasion to sit in on a couple of live presentations from her on this subject and she truly knows the topic from a real-world perspective. Although BI is a deep and complex subject, Lynn gets right to business to help you start building your reports and dataviews in a practical and productive manner.
   
   This is a great starting point for people wishing to get up to speed on BI using the Microsoft tools as well as a good review for those already comfortable in these waters.

5 comments about XQuery.

1. XML programmers and database users will find Priscilla Walmsley's XQUERY a specific, valuable reference which is based on the Xquery 1.0 standards and which offers a basic tutorial on specifications and programming with the query language base. Query writers should have some knowledge of XML basics to use this, and can quickly progress into the 'advanced' category using an overview and tour of Xquery which includes guidelines for working with different types of data and an A-Z reference to the program's functions.



2. This is a nice, comprehensive book written by someone highly qualified to talk about XQuery. The author, Priscilla Walmsley, was a member of the W3C XML Schema Working Group.
   
   Now that XML is being added to database management systems, DBAs and database developers will need to know how to query that data. And they'll more than likely be using XQuery to do it. As such, this book would be a good way for database professionals to gain expertise on XQuery.
   
   Walmsley's book offers a concise, yet in-depth tutorial on the XQuery language specification. After digesting these 25 chapters you'll have the knowledge required to program using XQuery to read your XML data. Whether you're coming from a relational and SQL background or you're an XML and XSLT coder, this well-written text will help you understand and write queries using XQuery.



3. I needed to come up to speed with an XML database server (Mark Logic) and I found this book very useful for learning how to use XQuery. It was concise and provided many good examples. The presentation of chapters was somewhat episodic--you had to read the later chapters to find out how some of the topics turned out. This was probably due to the newness and complexity of the topic. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a chapter reorg for the 2nd edition.
   
   In my case, the book covers only XQuery and does not cover the XQuery extensions and specifics of the XML database system I was using. Walmsley's book makes a great companion to the vendor documentation.



4. XQuery has its logical side, but it's pretty easy to forget all the syntax rules and nuances associated with it. Without this book, I'd easily be cursing XQuery and everything associated with it.
   
   It was a great read to get started, but it's become an indispensable reference for day-to-day work and play. With the 30 or so sticky-notes poking out the top, I find myself constantly in this book looking for not just answers, but ways to better use XQuery efficiently in a maintenance-friendly manner.



5. The problem of this book is it doesn't give detailed information on how to implement X-Query on your computer. When you have Windows Vista, eXist doesn't work. Neither does WAMP. And unless you have heavy duty experience with SQL Server, this book is useless. The author of this book needs to include many more simple examples so that people like me can use the language. I might figure out how to use this someday, but it will be a long time before I do. That is so disappointing.

5 comments about Access 2003 for Starters: The Missing Manual.

1. The Pogue Press line does it again!! When I looked down at the retail price for this book I couldn't believe my eyes. If you are new to Microsoft Access and want to ramp up quickly on how to use this exciting application, you would be hard-pressed to find a better bargain to get up to speed in no time.
   
   I usually write longer reviews, but for the price that this book is listed at, this would inefficient and a waste of time. If you want to learn how to use Access 2003, stop reading and pick up this book today!!
   
   ***** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED



2. I own a Network Consulting firm which handles IT for Small to Medium businesses. That said, I know zilch about Microsoft Access. Recently a client asked I provide them with a simple inventory managment database. While I actually set them up with an out of box solution, I figured I should learn Access to possibly do our own development.
   
   This book is really fantastic. I own plenty of tech books; some good, and some not so good. I rated this book high for the two things it does really well:
   
   1. It shows you a nice view of what you *can* do in terms of options at each stage of building/working with a database, and explains them.
   
   2. It applies the information with easy to follow, yet not stupidly simple projects.
   
   I went through 130 pages today alone and if the wife wasn't bugging me to death, would probably knock out a chapter or two more before bed.
   
   Great book. The title explains it all.



3. If you are new to Access and want to learn how to do things, this book is very helpful. If you are an experienced user and want to become an expert, this book may not have everything you need. We use this manual in conjunction with the Video Professor and between the two, we are now very comfortable with Access.



4. This book leaves alot to be desired. Cover to cover, It seemed way too brief. I felt like I was being coached through a few topics that could be figured out by just playing around with the program. Im confused as to why the authors felt it necessary to sacrifice so many trees in order to offer a step by step walk-through of how to use the program's various wizard modes. It seems to me that anyone could open up access and walk themselves through the wizard without reading any of this book. The other 25%-35% of the book that does cover the design view is way to0 brief to be of any use. You barely get a taste of what's out there. Basically you feel like your still.... searching for the "Missing" information.



5. It's clearly written and is clearly aimed at the novice. I'd advise people to see how much they can learn from the program help rather than spend the money on this one. You'll probably need a book but you'll need one that's more comprehensive.
   
   In spite of its actual length, the book seems like it's 20 pages long. It's a friendly, very basic, intro to Access. Unfortunately it's going to leave a lot of beginners hanging when they encounter the myriad real world situations the book doesn't cover. I would not advise buying this book without a reference manual to go with it. Example: I wanted to know the syntax for quoting character strings in comparisons. Nothing. In fact all of the comparison and selection by value examples in the book use numbers or dates.