SQL Server Transact-SQL^® Programming:
Hands-On

What is this course about?

This course provides a comprehensive coverage of Microsoft SQL Server for database developers. You learn how to use the power of Transact-SQL to develop high-performance database applications. The extensive hands-on exercises provide you with valuable opportunities to practice solving business problems with Microsoft's Transact-SQL.

What is SQL Server? What is Transact-SQL?

SQL Server is a key component of Microsoft's Windows Server System. SQL Server is a full-featured relational database management system with support for robust server-side development and data replication. It runs on the Windows NT/2000/XP/Server 2003/2008/2008 R2 operating systems. Transact-SQL is Microsoft's dialect of SQL. It is used to create databases, to manipulate data in those databases and to administer databases. Knowledge of this language is essential for all people who are developing applications for SQL Server.

Who will benefit from this course?

Typical participants include:

• Programmers, analysts, developers, designers, consultants and others who design and write Microsoft SQL Server applications
• Database administrators who want to become proficient in querying and manipulating a Microsoft SQL Server database with Transact-SQL
• People familiar with SQL but who wish to learn the special features of Microsoft's Transact-SQL dialect
• Data processing professionals who may have many years of experience working with traditional database systems (hierarchical or network) and who are now moving to the client/server world

What versions of SQL Server are covered?

This course covers SQL Server 2000, 2005, 2008 and 2008 R2. When a particular part of the course is relevant only to a particular version, this is clearly identified in the course material. The course exercises are based on SQL Server 2008 R2.

Is this course useful to me if I have already been developing for SQL Server 7, 2000 or 2005?

There are not many differences in the core Transact-SQL syntax for stored procedures and triggers between versions 7 and 2008 R2. Later versions have just added extra functionality, such as: Functions in SQL 2000, DDL Triggers and TRY CATCH error handling in SQL 2005 and statements such as MERGE in SQL 2008. Therefore, if you have significant prior Transact-SQL experience for an earlier version, you probably will not benefit significantly from taking this course.

What background knowledge do I need?

To succeed in this course, you should be comfortable with basic features of SQL Server or have significant experience with another DBMS. In addition, you should have some experience in traditional programming constructs. Familiarity with relational database concepts, such as tables, rows, columns, and referential integrity is helpful. Tools used in the hands-on exercises assume a familiarity with the Windows user interface.

Why should I take this course instead of one offered by Microsoft?

Learning Tree is dedicated to helping accelerate the careers of our clients by providing them with world-class IT training. Our independence from Microsoft (and any other vendor) allows us to give an unbiased view of what works and what does not. This course is objective in its approach, having been developed independently from Microsoft by industry experts who bring their real-world experience to the classroom.

How much time is spent on each topic?

What kinds of hands-on exercises are included in this course?

Approximately 40% of class time is devoted to hands-on exercises that provide immediate reinforcement of material covered. In these exercises, you construct and execute Transact-SQL commands, develop stored procedures, user defined functions and triggers. Additional exercises give active experience with distributed processing and query tuning.

I am planning to take both this course and Course 534. Which should I take first? How does this course differ from 534?

Although Course 534, Developing SQL Queries for SQL Server^®: Hands-On, doesn't require the material covered in 532, you will find Course 534 easier if you take 532 first. Course 532 is designed to cover the syntax and usage of the Transact-SQL programming language. Included are some details of the ANSI standard SELECT statement, but the primary focus of the course is Microsoft's extensions to SQL, particularly the procedural extensions used to develop stored procedures, user-defined functions and triggers. Course 534 also covers Transact-SQL, but focuses on developing robust and efficient queries using the SELECT statement. It is designed to teach you how to solve complex business problems with SQL. Developers who wish to acquire complete command of the Transact-SQL language benefit from taking both courses.

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

The SQL Server courses you take vary depending on the role you play in your organization. Please refer to the SQL Server 2005 and 2008 Curriculum Q&As for details on which courses are most appropriate to your role and the order in which you should take them. You may be interested in these related courses:

• 534, Developing SQL Queries for SQL Server®: Hands-On 
• 535, Developing High-Performance SQL Server® Databases: Hands-On 
• 382, Relational Database Design, Tools and Techniques: Hands-On 
• 134, SQL Server® Integration Services: Hands-On 
• 139, SQL Server® Analysis Services: Hands-On 
• 136, SQL Server® 2008 Skills Upgrade: Hands-On 
• 138, SQL Server® 2008 Database Administration: Hands-On 
• 141, SQL Server® High Availability: Hands-On 
• 146, Introduction to Microsoft® Tools for Business Intelligence: Hands-On 
• 133, SQL Server® Server-Side Programming with .NET and XML: Hands-On 
• 296, Project Management: Skills for Success