Right- i need training!

Hi all,

my collegue is leaving, his masters in computer science has ensured he has solved most problems we've encountered iver two years...

now im told i need at least a few training sessions under my belt to take over parts of his job.

Basically i need sql server traing and vb but am confused as where to start, a lot of the courses ive looked at assume you have knowledge in certain areas, my problem is i have loads of gaps as ive learnt on the job so need some recommendations- are any of the MS courses geared to people like me or do you need a foundation in the subject...ive read stuff like SAMS teachyourself SQL and found it just doesn't go deep enough...too many examples are just skimmed over...it also doesn't teach you the kind of things i learn here...

im happy to go on a course which repeats stuff i already know whilst teaching me the fundamentals but can only seem to find course geared to specific job roles which require prior knowledge- so where did you guys start? im in the UK btw

gregI found a good book called "SQL Server 2000 Programming by Example" at Half Price Books. The isbn is 0-7897-2449-9. It's a bit dated, but if you're working with SQL Server 2000, then I say T-SQL is T-SQL. :)

hth and cheers.|||I learned on the job, and I read the manuals cover to cover, no matter how boring (or I did, way back in the day when you actually got a manual).|||I read Books Online. If you read it and work through the examples, you'll have a really good understanding of T-SQL and MS SQL Server when you are done. I also like any book by Ken Henderson or Kalen Delaney.|||True, you have many opportunities with the latest CYBER avaiability on web such as GOOGLE and other search engines. Review the content as suggested below and keep in touch with forums, even by referring to the questions posted you will learn a lot.|||nice one, will look at those suggestions,.

i also found this:
MCSA/MCSE/MCDBA Self-Paced Training Kit: Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2000 System Administration, Exam 70-228, Second Edition

looks like it could teach me a lot.

so are you guys dba's? or have you gone further?

greg|||derrick did you buys these online books or are they available to view?

greg|||Books Online is free. Start/Programs/Microsoft SQL Server/Books Online.

The books by Kalen Delaney and Ken Henderson are available online at any bookstore website. I like bookpool.com personally.|||hey, just ask your questions here...we always like puzzles...just read the hint sticky at the top of the forum...

as for vb...sorry...you shouldn't have to be a backend AND front end guy|||i also found this:
MCSA/MCSE/MCDBA Self-Paced Training Kit: Microsoft SQL Server 2000 System Administration, Exam 70-228, Second Edition

From the sounds of things, you may want something more along the lines of database developer, as opposed to architect/dba

If I'm wrong, then it might be what you're looking for.

Carl|||You can download updated Books ONline BOL from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a6f79cb1-a420-445f-8a4b-bd77a7da194b&DisplayLang=en here.|||Hi,

bit of an update, my boss would like me to become a mcdba so i can handle pretty much anything that happens with the IT team(we have two mcse's here too).

Therefore i need to understand architecture, procedures, standard practices and developing but not to a hugely in-depth level...i work at a school so alot of the coding is pretty straight forward and we dont have huge number of records:

essentially:
daily maintenance: backups, transactions, security, users, t-sql, server 2000/2003/2005 differences etc etc - hardware end

database developing: our off-the-shelf doesn't work properly (no primary keys) so a new database needs to be created module by module, this has been done but now the author is leaving. need to understand the logic behind his practices- covers the coding end.

the mcdba looks to cover all of this, may be overkill but it cant hurt to be over qualified (and they are paying!!) - so am looking to do the prerequisite course which focuses on t-sql...

therefore i think looking through the books mentioned will help no end, ive got exam questions for the various modules to give me an idea of what they expect...guess my answer is can i expect to pass with no previous formal computer training- happy to work my arse off but am hoping the course wont be to in-depth for me to progress in it.

cheers
greg|||Congratulations. It should be an exciting time for you. Since you are studying for the official certs, check out the free training on the microsoft website right now. They are offering tons of courses now, with the ramp-up of 2005.