MCSE Training Guide SQL Server 7 Database Design

The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification continues to increase in popularity. Employers often require this certification because it proves applicants have mastered the ability to design, develop, implement, and support solutions with Microsoft products and technologies. Computer professionals who become Microsoft Certified are recognized as experts and are sought after industry-wide. Having MCSE credentials increases an administrator's salary potential by thousands of dollars. In order to obtain their MCSE, candidates are required to pass six exams-four core exams and two elective exams. This curriculum is very rigorous and extremely challenging. The MCSE exams, which cost $100 each, are much more difficult than the Novell CNE exams. For example, it has been rumored that for the Enterprise exam there are 4.3 failures for every one pass. One way to prepare for the exams currently is to enroll in courses that cost thousands of dollars and consume several workdays. Candidates are in need of a complete, concise, inexpensive study guide to fully prepare them to pass the exams.

Part I - Exam Preparation

• Chapter 1 - Data Modeling
  • Introduction
  • A College Enrollment Database
  • Introducing Data Modeling Concepts: Entities, Attributes, and Relationships
    
  • Implementing Entities and Attributes
  • Implementing Relationships
  • Normalizing Your Database Design

• Chapter 2 - Creating Physical Storage
  • Introduction
  • Units of Storage in SQL Server
  • Database Files and File Groups
  • Creating a Database
  • Database Options

• Chapter 3 - Implementing a Physical Design
  • Introduction
  • Understanding Data Types
  • Managing Tables
  • Using Constraints

• Chapter 4 - Indexing
  • Introduction
  • Introduction to Indexes
  • Types of Indexes
  • Guidelines for Indexing
  • Managing Indexes with Transact-SQL
  • Managing Indexes with Enterprise Manager
  • Implementing Full-Text Search

• Chapter 5 - Populating a Database
  • Introduction
  • Using Bulk Copy to Import and Export Data
  • Using the BCP Command-Line Utility
  • Using the BULK INSERT Statement
  • Using Data Transformation Services to Import and Export Data

• Chapter 6 - Retrieving Data
  • Introduction
  • Writing SELECT Statements: An Overview
  • Choosing Columns
  • Using DISTINCT and ALL Keywords
  • Choosing Rows
  • Sorting Result Rows
  • Generating Summary Data
  • Using Joins
  • Using Sub-Queries

• Chapter 7 - Modifying Data
  • Introduction
  • The INSERT Statement
  • The UPDATE Statement
  • The DELETE Statement

• Chapter 8 - Programmability
  • Introduction
  • Control-of-Flow Statements
  • Managing Errors
  • Using Transactions
  • Implementing Cursors

• Chapter 9 - Miscellaneous Programming Techniques
  • Introduction
  • Stored Procedures
  • Views
  • Triggers
  • Distributed Queries

• Chapter 10 - Client Accessibility
  • Introduction
  • Dynamic Model versus Stored Procedure Model
  • Configuring Session-Level Options

• Chapter 11 - Maintaining a Database
  • Introduction
  • Creating, Examining, and Optimizing Execution Plans
  • Diagnosing and Resolving Locking Problems
  • Using SQL Server Profiler

Part II - Final Review

• Chapter 12 - Fast Facts: SQL_Server 7 Database Design
  • Developing a Logical Data Model
  • Deriving the Physical Design
  • Creating Data Services
  • Creating a Physical Database
  • Maintaining a Database

• Chapter 13 - Study and Exam Prep Tips
  • Study Tips
  • Exam Prep Tips
  • Final Considerations
  • Chapter - Practice Exam
  • Answers and Explanations

Part III - Appendixes

• Appendix A - Glossary
  
  

• Appendix B - Overview of the Certification Process
  • Types of Certification
  • Certification Requirements

• Appendix C - What's On the CD-ROM
  • Top Score
  • Exclusive Electronic Version of Text
  • Copyright Information and Disclaimer

• Appendix D - Using the Top Score Software
  • Getting Started
  • Instructions on Using the Top Score Software
  • Summary

• Index