SQL server 2000 for a VB.NET developer

Hey all,

I have no prior experienc with SQL server 2000 but I
develop web applications that interface with MS Access
databases all the time.

Do you know of any good books at the beginner level to
learn more about SQL server 2000 from a VB.NET
programmer's point of view?

Thanks!
Venkat

 

If you are using ADO.NET, then there is little difference between selecting,
inserting, updating a SQL Server database and a MS Access database. Are you
basically wanting to learn T-SQL and stored procedures?

 

I am looking for something that will answer basic
questions like:

1. What is SQl server?
2. How does it work?
3. How is it different from MS access?
4. Where can I get a free version of SQl server?
5. How do I get it up and running on a standalone
development machine?
5. How do I develop databases with SQl server?
6. How do I make those databases talk to VB.NET?

Thanks!
Venkat

 

There are a lot of good SQL Server FAQs on the web:
http://www.mssqlcity.com/Articles/Compare/sql_server_vs_access.htm

You can purchase SQL Server Developer Edition for about $100. It is almost
identical to Enterprise Edition but does not accept external connections.

Barnes & Noble is good place to browse tech books.

 

Ms Access is a toddler and SQL Server is a grown-up. You can download the
trial version, good for 120 days, at:
http://www.microsoft.com/sql/evaluation/trial/default.asp

When on the page, click on the "SQL Server 2000 Features" link to read what
SQL Server is and how it works.

Installing it on your standalone development machine , which is a straight
forward task, and its Service Mager will be automatically run by default.

Read the Books Online after the installation. The "Building SQL Server
Application" section contains all information you are asking here.

Microsoft ADO .NET Step by Step book should be good for a beginner level of
both the VB .Net and C# .NET.

 

Or you can start out with the SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine
(also known as the MS Data Engine (MSDE)). It's free and you
can download it from microsoft at:
http://www.microsoft.com/sql/msde/downloads/default.asp

 

MSDE is o.k. if and when it comes time to deploy a distributed database on
the user's PC. However, he may want to become familiar with the standard GUI
(EM, QA, etc.) if he wants to lean SQL Server for the exam.

As far as I know, the only GUI for MSDE are provided by 3rd parties?

 

As far as I know, the only GUI for MSDE are provided by 3rd parties?

No big lose. Gives people the opportunity to learn how to write
scrips.

 

You can install the Enterprise Manager from a SQL

By doing so, may be illegal.

 

What I was thinking was that he might want to play around with
the MSDE first a bit before laying out money on a developer copy.


And tecnically there is a Microsoft GUI you can use with the
MSDE. You can install the Enterprise Manager from a SQL
Server 2000 install disk:

1. choose "SQL Server 2000 Components" from the startup screen.
2. choose "Install database server"
3. go throught the install process until you reach a screen offering
you the option of: Client Tools Only
Server And Client Tools
Connectivity Only
4. choose "Client Tools Only" and finish the installation.

This installs the Enterprise Manager, and it works no problem
with the MSDE. The only catch is that you have to own a
license for the SQL Server 2000 disk for this to be legal.
This setup is great for learning SQL Server on a single machine
or a small home network.

 

As long as you own a license for the SQL Server 2000 install
CD, this is legal.

 

By doing so, may be illegal.

Hence why I said 'may be illegal'.