Frequently Asked Questions

What is this course about? This course provides comprehensive coverage of the new database developer features in Microsoft SQL Server 2005. You learn how to use the enhanced Transact-SQL, new .NET CLR integration, and extended XML features. The extensive hands-on exercises provide you with valuable opportunities to practice solving business problems with Microsoft's Transact-SQL and .NET programming languages. You also gain the skills needed to develop XML-based messaging applications. What background knowledge do I need? To succeed in this course, you should be proficient with development in a SQL Server 2000 environment or have completed Course 532, SQL Server 2000 Transact-SQL® Programming: Hands-On. If you have significant development experience with SQL Server 7 you will also benefit from this course, however, certain new features introduced in SQL Server 2000 are not covered. Who will benefit from this course? Typical participants include: Programmers Analysts Developers Designers Consultants Others already experienced with SQL Server 2000 will also benefit from this course. 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. It runs on the Windows 2000 and Windows 2003 operating systems. Transact-SQL is Microsoft's dialect of SQL. It is used to manipulate data in databases and to administer databases. Knowledge of this language is essential for anyone developing applications for SQL Server 2005. What is .NET CLR? .NET is Microsoft's virtual execution environment and tool set for programming languages and components. It provides a component-based architecture that is capable of distributing applications across an intranet or the Internet. The Common Language Runtime (CLR) forms the core of the Microsoft .NET framework and provides the execution environment for all .NET code. Do I need to know the SQL language prior to attending this course? Yes. This course assumes a basic knowledge of the SQL SELECT statement. Knowledge of the SQL INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE statements is also required. Does this course assume experience with C#, VB.NET or Visual Studio .NET? What .NET programming language is used in the course? No prior knowledge of a .NET programming language or Visual Studio .NET experience is required. This course presents examples in the C# programming language, however, the equivalent VB.NET code is available in electronic form. Is XML knowledge required for participation in this course? No. This course provides background information on XML, as well as hands-on experience producing and using XML How much time is spent on each topic? Content Hours Architecture and tools 1.5 Transact SQL Enhancements 4.5 Querying and Storing XML 3.5 Encryption 1.0 Integrating .NET CLR with SQL Server 4.0 Service Broker 2.5 Times, including the workshops, are estimates; exact times may vary according to the needs of each class. Is this course useful to me if I am a developer experienced with SQL Server 7.0 or SQL Server 2000? Yes, this course will upgrade your current skills to include the new features in SQL Server 2005. Is this course useful to me if I have limited SQL Server experience or experience at the level of Course 530? No, this course is designed for experienced SQL Server 2000 developers, or those who have completed Course 532, SQL Server 2000 Transact-SQL® Programming: Hands-On. 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 technology and management 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 devoted to hands-on exercises? 40 % of class time is spent doing hands-on exercises. Exercises in this course include the following Exploiting the new developer features in Transact-SQL. Developing procedures in .NET CLR Storing and retrieving XML Creating message-based applications with Service Broker. These and other hands-on exercises provide immediate reinforcement of material covered in the course lectures. 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 Curriculum Q&A 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 SQL Server 2005 and related courses: 129, SQL Server 2005 Administration: Hands-On Skills Upgrade , provides coverage of the new administration features of SQL Server 2005. It is designed for experienced SQL Server 2000 administrators. 132, SQL Server 2005 Database Administration: Hands-On , provides a detailed coverage of SQL Server 2005 from a DBA perspective. The course covers issues such as backup and recovery, database storage, jobs and alerts, and other administrative tasks. 534, Developing SQL Queries for SQL Server: Hands-On , provides the knowledge and skills you need to develop complex and robust SQL queries for SQL Server. 535, Developing High-Performance SQL Server Databases: Hands-On , provides the skills needed to build a high-performance SQL Server database solution. 382, Relational Database Design, Tools and Techniques: Hands-On , emphasizes the concepts and addresses the "whys" of databases. It deals with what relational databases are, why they are used, how to design and set up a relational database. 523, SQL Server Reporting Services: Presenting Data for Business Intelligence , provides experience creating reports using data stored in SQL Server.

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