I’ve passed both of the Database Developer exams. Now, I’m going to start on the Administration exams. I’ve already purchased The self-paced guide. I’ve also scanned through the materials. What I want to do is make this guide a bit more conversational.
I honestly believe that’s one of the missing bits when it comes to these self-paced guides. They’re stuffed full of information. No discussion.
I’d like to be that place where you can come and discuss the material you’ll have to know in order to pass this exam. If you’re prepping for this exam too, and you want to discuss some of the information you’re trying to learn. Please feel free to reach out to me here. I’m always happy to help!
Know the tools in SQL Server 2008
One of the key topics covered by the exam is knowing what tools you use for which jobs.
You’ll need to know when you’ll use Management Studio (SSMS), when you’ll use Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS), and when you’ll use any one of the handful of tools built into SQL Server 2008.
Let’s cover a scenario you’d face at work where you’d need to know what tool to use for a job.
You just got a new laptop at work. (hooray you!) Even better, it came with SSMS preinstalled! You get a request from a business user to load 10 new files into the server so he can do some analysis on that data.
No problem, you hit Start –> Programs –> Microsoft SQL Server 2008… Uh oh. BIDS isn’t installed. No problem, you can grab the CD and install it now.
Uh oh the second…The CD didn’t come with your shiny new lappy.
How can you pull that data into the database right now without BIDS? If it’s a simple enough file, you could pull it in with BCP. If you’re an old school sort of guy. Let’s say that you’re not. What else could you use to pull in those files?
What about the Microsoft SQL Server Import and Export Wizard?
Oh yeah!
With this tool, you can do simple data loads without having the full BIDS install on your machine. It’s all GUI, so no fussing with command line stuff.
Using this tool, you are able to get the user’s request finished in a few minutes. After that you grab the SQL CD and install the rest of the tools that were missing from your install.
And all three of you lived happily ever after (you, the business user, and your lappy)!
Yeah, it’s a silly ending, but I’m willing to bet you’ll remember the Import/Export Wizard for a good long time now!
That’s all for this time, but if you have questions about specific topics, please send them in. It’ll be my challenge to explain them, and we’ll both pass this exam in no time!