SQL server 2005 certification

spud2005

Hello everyone. New to sql. Actually starting the process of getting the MS Press book. My questions is I am not really good with learning from a book rather from sight and hands on. If there a great video that will assist me in learning sql and also helping me pass the exam. I heard of CBT Nugget. Can you recommend any or is this the best option to learn SQL?

jbrown414

Test Out offers a video for the 70-431. I haven't used as I got a letter from them about it after I passed the test. As far as the MS Press book for 70-431 goes, it has a lot of errors so make sure you get the errata for it. I'm no master at SQL so I didn't have too many problems with the test.

spud2005

Thank you Jbrown. I am justing starting out on my new career path with sql. I been doing a lot of reading but not actual programming with sql.

jbrown414

Look through this thread.

http://www.techexams.net/forums/sql-server-2000-2005-exams/23217-resources-70-431-sql-server-2005-a.html

brad-

I was new to SQL about 6 months ago, still am very new really. I had no idea what the concepts or terminology meant. It took me weeks just to understand what was going on. I have used CBT Nuggets in the past for W2k3 server and they are extremely useful as a learning tool, albeit very expensive.

If you are going to make SQL your career, I would think you must get them. I would also say stay away from the MS Press book. IMHO, it is bloated with useless information...and what is useful is not written as well as other books.

I would also say, if possible, you may want to start with SQL 2008. 2005/2008 are very similar. It does not represent the jump that was made from 2000 to 2005.

Finally, you may not want to limit yourself to SQL Server. Oracle is still the king enterprise solution as far as i know.

spud2005

Thanks guy. A lot of the video I hae research or very expensive. I have also look at getting them at the auction site. Have anyone bought them or should I not waist my time on gettting them and just pay the expensive one? I been hearing about how bad the MS press books are. Can you recommend a really good step by step training material just in case video does not offer complete training on SQL. Thanks jbrown for the helpful link. I have already found 2 links that I reallly like and save it to my favorite.

brad-

This is probably THE best resource I've seen for 2005:
Amazon.com: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Unleashed: Ray Rankins, Paul Bertucci, Chris Gallelli, Alex T. Silverstein: Books

I think high availability is important enough a topic to have its own book, I enjoyed this one from APRESS:
Amazon.com: Pro SQL Server 2005 High Availability: Allan Hirt: Books

I have seen other WROX books and enjoyed them, and would buy this one for myself for 2008
Amazon.com: Professional Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Administration (Wrox Programmer to Programmer): Brian Knight, Ketan Patel, Wayne Snyder, Ross LoForte, Steven Wort: Books

People also recommend the pocket guide. I cant speak for it personally.

I dont think any WORTHY training videos exist for SQL that arent for sale - its a high dollar industry. CBT Nuggets has one video on SQL up. You might see some mixed in with development videos on MS's technet site. If you want to actually learn from a video though, its going to cost you. I think of it like paying for a college course...and the nuggets are better and replayable - IMHO.

spud2005

Thanks Brad for the heads'up. Your right about paying for something that will maximize my learning.