This comprehensive list of the top 10 MS SQL Server certification books are guides that contain a mix of information significant for both beginners, as well as advanced SQL database administrators and developers. I included these in the list because I not only like having a book on the basics close by, but on its advanced features as well for whenever I need to get back to it.
Check-out the following list for the best of the best in MS SQL Server Certification.
Top 10 MS SQL Server Certification Books for SQL Administrators and developers
1. MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-432): Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 Implementation and Maintenance (Pro-Certification) by Mike Hotek
This a great book if you are relatively new to SQL servers. Every chapter begins with a small practical example that incorporates that chapter’s topic. This MS SQL Server certification book is helpful for acing the Microsoft exam 70-432, learning a new skill, or improving your DBA skill.
2. MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-448): Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance (Self-Paced Training Kits) by Erik Veerman, Teo Lachev, Dejan Sarka
The materials included in this MS SQL server certification book are all you need, and you will end up learning more than expected. You are prepared for the test and feel confident about the results even before you receive your score. The book covers administration and development of SSAS, SSIS, and SSRS very well. Very well-written, it is definitely a must read for those who want to learn Microsoft BI technologies or take the MCTS 70-448 exam.
3. MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-433): Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 Database Development by Tobias Thernstrom, Ann Weber and Mike Hotek
This MS SQL Server certification book provides a good grasp of all the new features of SQL 2008 for the test, whether you will actually use it or not. It is a good all-around book acting both as a study guide for the exam, as well as a learning guide and general reference.
4. Microsoft SQL Server 2012 A Beginners Guide 5/E (Beginner’s Guides) by Dusan Petkovic
This book is an exceptional beginners guide for core SQL Server 2012. It does a great job of introducing its new features. Dusan Petkovic, its author, has a great writing style explaining things clearly and well, while making great use of diagrams, tables, and code samples.
5. Delivering Business Intelligence with Microsoft SQL Server 2008 by Brian Larson
This MS SQL Server certification book handles all the main topics from conceptualization, the making-decision process,, hierarchies, dimensions,, cubes, measures, ETL, data mining, SSIS, MDX, SSRS, and more. This book is great for anybody wanting to learn how to conduct better decisions through their data. This comes recommended for any IT person who is interested in business intelligence.
6. SQL Server 2008 Administration: Real-World Skills for MCITP Certification and Beyond (Exams 70-432 and 70-450) by Tom Carpenter
As the title implies, this MS SQL server certification book is based on real-world examples. Each chapter demonstrates not only the technical aspect, but the way in which you use those skills in a real situation as well. Its author is clearly aware of how things work on a real day-to-day work basis. The depth of the discussion of each and every topic is suitable and great for beginners or for someone updating from a previous SQL Server version.
7. Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Administration for Oracle DBAs by Mark Anderson, James Fox and Christian Bolton
This is an exemplary resource for Oracle database administrators who need to manage SQL Server databases. The authors understand an Oracle DBA’s perspective of the database, and they discuss the how-to for SS DB from that particular perspective. This MS SQL server certification book comes with topics that are completely explained, and it is extremely helpful to Oracle DBAs or for anyone who desires to manage an SS Database.
8. SQL Server 2005 DBA Street Smarts: A Real World Guide to SQL Server 2005 Certification Skills by Joseph L. Jorden
Most current software-related development books are lengthy and almost burdensome. However, this MS SQL server certification book is a technical manual that offers plenty of detail and technical information, while managing to stay away from becoming overwhelming. It is well-organized, with examples from the business world that are easy to relate to.
9. SQL Programming Joes 2 Pros: Programming & Development for Microsoft SQL Server 2008 (SQL Exam Prep Series 70-433 Volume 4 of 5) by Rick A. Morelan, Pinal Dave
You will be impressed by the way authors have explained the concepts in this MS SQL server certification book. You will like that all of the chapters end with an exercise, so you instantly get into action of solving problems and getting your head around the concept at hand. It is highly recommend for both beginners and advanced SQL Server programmers and database administrators. It is concise, clear, and easy to read.
10. Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Stored Procedure Programming in T-SQL & .NET by Dejan Sunderic
This book is stocked full of tips, angles, tricks, and perspectives to maximize the use of stored procs in SQL databases. It definitely goes under the covers to the many aspects of SQL and the reader is made richer for it. This is a very significant how-to reference for any serious SQL developer. You will surely end up reacing for this book again and again.
Usually, I am skeptical about books by publishers other than WROX, O’reilly, Programmers for Programmers, and maybe Friendsoft, but I have found that there are books by authors from other publishers that can be just as good — or even more awesome! What do you think? Let me know by leaving me a comment below.