8 Microsoft SQL Server Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

After years working closely with SQL Server internals, Benjamin Nevarez developed a thorough guide that dives into the mechanics behind query optimization and troubleshooting sluggish queries. You'll learn how the query optimizer functions, how to leverage tools like Query Store and dynamic management views, and the latest intelligent query processing features introduced in SQL Server 2022. The book is particularly valuable if you want to enhance database performance through indexing strategies, cardinality estimation fixes, and practical diagnostic techniques. Whether you’re a developer, DBA, or database architect, it offers concrete insights into tuning queries to squeeze out better application responsiveness.

Joel Murach's decades-long experience writing about programming shines through in this edition tailored for application developers working with Microsoft SQL Server 2019. The book methodically introduces daily-use SQL statements for data retrieval and updates before advancing to database design, implementation, and essential features like views, stored procedures, triggers, and security. You’ll gain not only technical skills for building professional-grade database applications but also insights into DBA considerations that often elude developers. For instance, chapters on FILESTREAM storage and handling XML data provide a deeper grasp of complex data types. This book suits developers seeking a solid foundation and practical reference, though those looking for highly specialized DBA content might look elsewhere.

This tailored book explores Microsoft SQL Server with a focus on your unique learning journey, addressing your specific goals and challenges. It covers core concepts such as database architecture, query performance, and security, while guiding you through advanced topics like indexing, optimization, and cloud integration. By synthesizing expert knowledge and matching it to your background, it reveals practical insights and nuanced techniques relevant to your interests. This personalized resource provides a clear, engaging path through complex material, enabling you to deepen your understanding and build confidence in managing SQL Server environments effectively.

Bob Ward's decades-long experience at Microsoft culminates in this detailed guide bridging traditional SQL Server knowledge with the evolving Azure SQL cloud platform. You’ll learn not just how to deploy and configure Azure SQL, but also how to secure, monitor, and optimize it, all through the lens of familiar SQL Server concepts. The book offers deep dives into Azure SQL’s architecture and history, making it particularly useful if you already manage on-premises SQL Server environments and want to transition smoothly to cloud solutions. If you’re a database professional aiming to stay current with enterprise cloud trends, this book equips you with the insights to confidently move your skills into Azure.

After years of hands-on experience with Analysis Services dating back to its inception in 1999, Marco Russo and Alberto Ferrari crafted this book to address the evolving demands of business intelligence modeling. You’ll gain a deep understanding of the Tabular modeling approach in Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services, from building foundational models to mastering deployment and optimization techniques. The book walks you through practical scenarios, such as handling scalability and advanced features, making it suitable whether you’re transitioning from older multidimensional models or starting fresh. If your work revolves around BI solutions within Microsoft environments, this book equips you with the skills to design effective, performant data models tailored to real-world challenges.

Drawing from their deep expertise as founders of sqlbi.com and pioneers in DAX since 2009, Marco Russo and Alberto Ferrari offer an extensive exploration of Microsoft’s DAX language tailored for Power BI, SQL Server Analysis Services, and Excel. You’ll learn to master core concepts like calculated columns, measures, and evaluation contexts, alongside advanced techniques such as calculation groups, variables (VAR), and model optimization for faster, more robust code. The book emphasizes practical examples you can implement in Power BI Desktop, demystifying complex topics like many-to-many relationships and bidirectional filters. This guide suits professionals aiming to elevate their business intelligence skills and optimize Microsoft SQL Server data models effectively.

This tailored book offers a focused 30-day journey through mastering Microsoft SQL Server query performance. It explores core concepts such as query execution plans, indexing techniques, and SQL Server internals to help you understand how queries run and where bottlenecks arise. The book delves into practical tuning methods and optimization tactics that match your existing skills and specific goals. Each chapter is carefully designed to guide you through daily tasks that build your expertise progressively, ensuring you gain confidence in diagnosing and improving query performance. By concentrating on your interests and background, this personalized guide reveals a clear path to accelerating SQL Server query tuning and optimization.

Drawing from a decade of hands-on experience with Microsoft SQL Server, Uday Arumilli crafted this guide specifically to prepare you for the demanding technical interviews faced by SQL Server professionals. You’ll find over a thousand real interview questions, including 254 focused on performance tuning and 316 on high availability and disaster recovery, all backed by detailed explanations and categorized for targeted study. Whether you’re aiming to understand SQL Server features from versions 2005 through 2016 or seeking practical scenarios to sharpen your problem-solving, this book equips you with knowledge drawn directly from multinational company interviews. It’s especially suited for database administrators and developers who want to deepen their expertise and confidently navigate career advancement conversations.

When Dusan Petkovic, a professor in computer science at the Polytechnic in Rosenheim, crafted this guide, he drew on decades of teaching and writing to create a clear path for newcomers to Microsoft SQL Server 2019. You’ll start by grasping core database concepts before moving to writing Transact-SQL queries, managing database objects, and automating administrative tasks. The book covers important updates like JSON data handling, graph databases, and integrating machine learning with R and Python, giving you practical skills for today’s database challenges. If you're new to SQL Server and want a thorough yet approachable way to build your expertise, this book gives you a solid foundation without overwhelming jargon.

What happens when software development meets cross-platform GUI design and database integration? Vivian Siahaan and Rismon Hasiholan Sianipar guide you through creating responsive applications by blending PyQt, Python, OpenCV, and Microsoft SQL Server in practical mini projects. You’ll learn to build interactive Python GUIs that handle image processing alongside database operations, with examples like a hotel reservation system and crime database management detailed in separate chapters. This book suits programmers from beginners to researchers who want hands-on experience tying together these technologies without needing advanced coding background.