8 Best-Selling Azure SQL Database Books Millions Love

Unlike most Azure SQL Database books that focus solely on theory, Scott Klein draws on his deep experience with Microsoft technologies to deliver a hands-on guide to programming and managing SQL Azure. You’ll learn how to integrate SQL Azure with Silverlight, ASP.NET, and WinForms, while also mastering essential skills like scalability planning, performance troubleshooting, and data security. For example, the book’s chapters on administering SQL Azure provide practical insights into handling cloud-specific challenges that traditional SQL Server DBAs might not face. If you’re involved in .NET development or database administration in the cloud, this book offers a grounded, practical resource without unnecessary fluff.

Kalman Toth's decades-long experience in relational databases shines through this detailed guide on cloud-based SQL programming and design. You learn how to master Azure SQL Database through practical diagrams, over 1,400 SELECT queries, and real-world examples from classic Microsoft sample databases like AdventureWorks. The book emphasizes understanding relational design principles, especially the crucial foreign key-primary key relationships, and thinking in set-based operations rather than procedural loops. Whether you're a developer, DBA, or project manager familiar with SQL basics, this book expands your cloud RDBMS knowledge and prepares you for career growth in modern database environments.

This tailored book explores the essential techniques and best practices for mastering Azure SQL Database, focusing on your unique challenges and goals. It covers core concepts such as database design, performance tuning, security, and cloud deployment. By blending widely trusted knowledge with your specific interests, it creates a personalized learning path that addresses your background and desired outcomes. The book examines how to optimize cloud database management through practical insights and targeted examples, ensuring you gain a deep understanding of Azure SQL’s capabilities. This personalized approach makes complex topics approachable and relevant, helping you unlock expert methods for success in managing and scaling your Azure SQL environment.

Leonard G. Lobel, a Microsoft MVP for SQL Server with deep experience as a principal consultant at Tallan, Inc., crafted this book to guide programmers new to Azure through the essentials of Azure SQL Database. You'll learn practical skills like setting up Azure environments, configuring databases, designing for scalability, and migrating data—all grounded in clear explanations contrasting Azure SQL Database with traditional SQL Server. Chapters walk you through security considerations, backup strategies, and application development for web and mobile contexts, making it a solid pick if you want hands-on familiarity with Azure's database offerings. This book suits developers seeking a detailed, accessible introduction rather than seasoned Azure architects.

What happens when a seasoned Technical Architect turns his focus to cloud databases? Ahmad Osama, leveraging his deep expertise in SQL Server environments and his status as a Microsoft Data Platform MVP, crafted this guide to navigate the real challenges of migrating and managing SQL databases on Azure. The book walks you through practical scenarios like backup and restore, scaling with elastic pools, and automating tasks with PowerShell, offering concrete skills rather than vague concepts. If you're a database administrator or developer transitioning to the cloud, this book spells out how to optimize performance, ensure high availability, and build scalable solutions on Azure SQL Database without fluff.

Unlike most database books that skim over performance tuning, Grant Fritchey draws on his two decades of IT experience to dive deeply into troubleshooting and optimizing SQL Server 2017 queries. You’ll gain concrete skills like using Query Store to monitor query behavior, identifying bottlenecks with tools such as Performance Monitor and Extended Events, and applying adaptive execution plans effectively. The book also unpacks best practices for T-SQL design and how to safeguard query performance during upgrades. If you’re managing or writing T-SQL queries and want to proactively prevent slowdowns rather than just reacting, this book offers the insight you need.

This tailored book on Azure SQL Database skill-building offers a unique learning journey designed around your specific background and goals. It explores the core concepts of Azure SQL, then rapidly guides you through advanced topics with a focus on efficiency and practical application. The content combines widely validated knowledge with your personal interests, ensuring you engage deeply with areas that matter most to you. This personalized approach helps you progress swiftly without wading through unrelated material, making your learning both targeted and enjoyable. By addressing your unique skill level and focusing on actionable steps, this book reveals how to build confidence and competence in managing Azure SQL environments effectively.

Unlike most Azure SQL Database books that focus narrowly on deployment, this work by Pranab Mazumdar and co-authors dives into both infrastructure and platform services, offering you a clear view of how SQL Server operates within Microsoft Azure's ecosystem. You get practical insights on deploying SQL Server on Azure VMs, managing Azure Storage and Networking, and applying security principles specifically tailored for Azure SQL Databases. Chapters on business continuity and disaster recovery help you plan resilient systems, while guidance on performance measurement ensures your deployments run efficiently. This book suits IT admins and DBAs who want a grounded understanding of Azure’s various SQL offerings to make informed decisions between PaaS, IaaS, or hybrid environments.

Joseph D'Antoni and Scott Klein challenge the conventional wisdom that provisioning SQL databases is a purely technical checklist. Instead, they emphasize the critical thinking and decision-making skills required to manage SQL Server databases both on premise and in the Azure cloud effectively. You'll learn how to implement SQL in Azure, manage databases and instances, and handle storage with a focus on real-world scenarios aligned to Microsoft Exam 70-765 objectives. The book is tailored for experienced IT professionals aiming to elevate their expertise and prepare for certification, making it less suitable for beginners but a solid guide for those deepening their infrastructure skills.

Bob Ward's decades-long tenure as a principal architect on the Microsoft Azure Data Server team deeply informs this book, which bridges SQL Server expertise with cloud deployment realities. You learn how to transition your on-premises SQL Server skills into managing Azure SQL environments, covering deployment, configuration, security, and performance tuning with clear examples and insider insights. Chapters detail the history and architecture of Azure SQL, offering you context rarely found elsewhere, while also guiding you through migration strategies and ensuring high availability. If you manage or develop SQL Server applications and want to stay relevant in a cloud-driven landscape, this book aligns your existing knowledge with the nuances of Azure SQL.