SQL Server in one day
Microsoft SQL Server made a huge leap in development during the last 10 years, establishing itself as a solid choice between "expensive" Oracle and "free" PostgreSQL. The upcoming release of SQL Server VNext expands its sphere of influence and tries to enter a completely new field of Linux-based software. Not to mention the multitude of possibilities that have appeared with the release of SQL Server 2016 SP1 such as the support of the R language, In-Memory OLTP tables and procedures, column indexes, equalization of functionality of the Standard and Enterprise editions, and many more.
If you want to know what SQL Server is capable of compared to its main opponents, what hidden icebergs are to be on the lookout for then this tutorial is for you.
Microsoft SQL Server made a huge leap in development during the last 10 years, establishing itself as a solid choice between "expensive" Oracle and "free" PostgreSQL. The upcoming release of SQL Server VNext expands its sphere of influence and tries to enter a completely new field of Linux-based software. Not to mention the multitude of possibilities that have appeared with the release of SQL Server 2016 SP1 such as the support of the R language, In-Memory OLTP tables and procedures, column indexes, equalization of functionality of the Standard and Enterprise editions, and many more.
If you want to know what SQL Server is capable of compared to its main opponents, what hidden icebergs are to be on the lookout for then this tutorial is for you.
Plan of the tutorial:
1. Why SQL Server? Comparison with Oracle and PostgreSQL.
1.1. Main capabilities of SQL Server.
1.2. Comparing to Oracle and PostrgeSQL: cost, functionality, tools.
1.3. SQL Server certification — is it worth it? How difficult it is?
2. Selecting a SQL Server version and edition based upon your needs and tasks you intend to solve.
2.1. SQL Server 2016, SQL Server Vnext or SQL Server 2014.
2.2. Enterprise, Developer, Standard, Express — which one do you need?
2.3. SQL Server installation on Windows: GUI and Command Line.
2.4. Installing on Linux, Docker.
3. Tuning and configuring SQL Server to your needs.
3.1. Configuration parameters and recommended values.
3.2. System databases in SQL Server and their purpose.
3.3. Selecting sort parameters for SQL Server.
3.4. Setting up user databases: compatibility levels, recovery mode, default values.
4. SQL Server: first steps.
4.1. SQL Server Community — where and how to locate a solutiong for you SQL Server problem in the fastest possible manner.
4.2. Educational databases for SQL Server — source of best practices.
4.3. In-depth introduction to the latest version of SSMS, configuration and hidden possibilities.
5. Data types in SQL Server and why they matter.
5.1. Comparison to Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite.
5.2. Selecting data types that suit your needs.
6. TSQL — best practices for writing good code.
6.1. Name agreement and why it matters in general, not only in SQL Server.
6.2. Trace flags in SQL Server: which ones are important.
6.3. TSQL — rules of programming.
7. Free and commercial development and administration tools for SQL Server.
7.1. First Responder KIT — 5 stored procedures that should be present at each server.
7.2. sp_whoisactive — almost free and almost ideal stored procedure to monitor activity.
7.3. Ola Hallengren SQL Server Maintenance Solution — a free toolkit for SQL Server maintenance.
7.4. dbatools.io — a Powershell module for SQL Server administration.
8. Query optimization in SQL Server.
9. Using R in SQL Server.
