SQL Queries 2012 Joes 2 Pros (R) Volume 3: Advanced Query Tools and Techniques for SQL Server 2012 (SQL Exam Prep Series 70-461 Volume 3 of 5)

This is my least favorite book in the series, mainly because it is more administrative oriented than the first two volumes. This volume deals with special data types, such as the geometry and geography types, the unique identifier type etc. It also deals with indexes, pessimistic and optimistic concurrency, which are topics a DBA is more concerned with than a developer.But Morelan's teach-by-example technique allows the student to really ramp up their knowledge and insight into what make SQL Server 2012 tick than any other series or book I have sampled. I highly recommend the entire series. I just found the topics contained in this volume somewhat tedious. This is especially true because you have to have your own copy of SQL Server 2012 to get most of the examples to behave as illustrated in the book.

Excellent book. But I do not think it will help you pass the Querying SQL Server certification exam. But then, no single book does. It has good labs that offer great hands-on practice but the new certification exams are quite challenging so I recommend going through all 5 of Joes2Pros Volumes and purchase an online practice test from MeasureUp.

I am usually very happy with this series, but right around chapter 3, I noticed that the labs started to have errors. Ok, I understand the occasional error, but the result set of a lab should resemble the actual result set you get when you run the answer script. Even the table columns did not resemble the table columns shown in the book. I will continue reading this series as I find it helpful and I like the pace, but this particular volume loses two stars because of it's inattention to detail. I'm currently at chapter 6, so if the series improves significantly, I will update my review by adding a star, but for now, I keep it at 3 due to the editing issues.Update: Chapter 6.1 Skill Check 4 does not run as expected. Running the answer script also does not run as expected. The RoomChart spatial data is missing from the setup script.Update # 2: Chapter 8.2 Skill Check 3 tells you to create a unique index, but shows a non-unique non-clustered index in the result set. The name prefix NCI also implies non-unique.Update #3: I decided to round up my review because the overall content is worth the money, and the book helps you prepare for the 70-461 test.

Easy to understand and digest. Great learning examples along with a quiz at the end of each chapter.

I am very much satisfied about how this series of books are written. They are exceptionally good. The labs are easy to follow and I have gained a lot by reading this books. It is one of the cheapest too. I recommend it to anyone who wants to start building their knowledge in SQL server.

Very good series. I'm a professional DBA, with 30 years IT experience, 10 years with SQL server. I'm recommending to people wishing to upskill.

Great book. Easy to understand.

Great insight & very helpful