SQL Server 2008 Essential Training

Explores all the major features of SQL Server 2008, beginning with core concepts.

Introduction

• Welcome
• Using the exercise files

1. Getting Started

• SQL Server core concepts
• SQL Server editions
• Applications included with SQL Server

2. Installing SQL Server 2008 R2

• Preparing for installation
• Creating service accounts
• Installing SQL Server
• Post-installation checks
• Installing sample databases

3. Tools and System Databases

• Introduction to SQL Server Management Studio
• Introduction to SQL Server Books Online
• SQL Server system databases

4. Creating Databases

• Planning your database
• Creating a SQL Server database
• Creating tables
• Data types in SQL Server
• Defining keys
• Creating default values
• Creating check constraints
• Creating unique constraints
• Introduction to relationships and foreign keys
• Creating relationships in SQL Server Management Studio
• Database normalization
• Creating computed columns

5. Importing Existing Data

• Using the SQL Server Import and Export Wizard
• Importing Excel files into SQL Server
• Importing CSV files into SQL Server
• Importing Access databases into SQL Server

6. Retrieving Data with SQL

• Introduction to Transact-SQL
• Using SELECT statements
• Changing the default database
• Creating conditions in SQL
• Sorting your output
• Using aggregate functions
• Finding unique values
• Joining multiple tables together
• Using subqueries
• Viewing execution plans

7. Inserting and Updating Data

• Writing INSERT statements
• Writing UPDATE statements
• Writing DELETE statements
• Using the OUTPUT clause to return inserted keys and GUIDs

8. SQL Functions

• Introduction to SQL functions
• Using SQL configuration functions
• Using string functions
• Using date functions
• Creating user-defined functions

9. Stored Procedures and Transactions

• Introduction to stored procedures
• Creating stored procedures
• Introducing transactions
• Creating transactions

10. Core Administration Tasks

• Understanding and creating indexes
• Monitoring and rebuilding indexes
• Monitoring database size and integrity

11. Backing Up and Restoring

• Creating backups
• Creating differential backups and using backup compression
• Restoring databases

12. Security Features

• Introduction to SQL Server security and permissions
• Adding a Windows user to the database
• Creating SQL Server logins and switching authentication modes

13. Reporting Services

• Introduction to SQL Server Reporting Services
• Connecting to the Report Manager
• Using Report Builder
• Formatting values in reports
• Adding indicators to reports
• Adding charts to reports
• Working with report security

14. Integration Services

• Introduction to SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)
• Using Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS)
• Creating and executing a simple SSIS package
• Importing packages into SQL Server Management Studio
• Scheduling jobs with SQL Server Agent

Conclusion

• Goodbye