What's New in SQL Server 2012 - Softcover

Clements, Rachel; Reade, Jon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 184968734X ISBN 13: 9781849687348

Publisher: Packt Pub Ltd, 2012

Synopsis

Unleash the new features of SQL Server 2012

Overview

• Upgrade your skills to the latest version of SQL Server
• Discover the new dimensional model in Analysis Services
• Utilize data alerts and render reports to the latest versions of Excel and Word
• Build packages to leverage the new features in the Integration Services environment
• Plan, load and simulate real-world database activity using Distributed Replay

In Detail

Microsoft SQL Server has been part of the enterprise database landscape since SQL Server 7 arrived in 1998 and has evolved into the relational and BI platform of choice by businesses around the globe. The performance and full feature set of SQL Server has been widely recognized by the business community and it is viewed as a powerful weapon in their database and business intelligence arsenal. SQL Server brings numerous benefits to all businesses, central to which is a thorough understanding of the technology, both current and new.

This is the book both DBAs and developers always wanted to buy but could never find in the bookstore. This is a SQL Server book that contains only the new features introduced in SQL Server 2012.

This book will give you a competitive advantage by helping you to quickly learn and understand the new features of SQL Server 2012. Most readers will already have an established knowledge of SQL Server and will want to update their 2008/2008R2 knowledge swiftly with least pain.

This book takes you through all of the new features of SQL Server 2012, from installing core database services and features, to the new administration and updated Transact-SQL functions. You will discover the new Analysis Services features, introduce data alerts and reporting features and explore the new enhancements to Integration Services. In addition you will learn how to automate, cleanse and transform critical business data with DQS and world-class enterprise level availability features.

Finally, you will venture into simulating real-world database loads using Distributed Replay and complete your journey with a look at the new SQL Server cloud services and the new Hadoop big data platform.

What will you learn from this book

• Learn how to install SQL Server 2012 core database features and advanced services
• Master day to day administration tasks in the new SQL Server Management Studio
• Take command of Transact SQL’s new keywords and functions
• Explore the SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) new development environment
• Find out about the new FileTable data type
• Learn about the Business Intelligence Semantic Models (BISM) in Analysis Services
• Take advantage of Reporting Services Data Alerts
• Find out about the new SSIS catalog, the SSIS Admin security role and how to upgrade from previous versions
• Create a Data Quality Services (DQS) project and cleanse real-world data
• Understand the new AlwaysOn Availability Features
• Test new hardware and vendor upgrades using Distributed Replay
• Discover the forthcoming Hadoop data platform and how to migrate to SQL Azure

About this title

Product Description

This is a hands-on book to quickly get you up to speed with SQL Server 2012. It covers all the new features of the core database engine as well as the business intelligence (BI) services. The book begins by taking you step-by-step through the installation process, showing you what to install and which services and features you need. Once you have your SQL Server in place, you learn how to administer it and then explore new T-SQL functions to expand your query-writing toolkit. You will discover how the enhancements to Integration Services, Analysis Services and Reporting Services make developing BI solutions easier. It will then introduce you to SQL Server Data Tools, your new and improved development environment for creating database and BI projects. A hands-on example guides you through the steps required to run Distributed Replay, giving you the experience you need to apply this in the field. The book then takes you through a detailed example to show you how to create a Data Quality Services project and cleanse real-world data. Easy to follow code samples provide you with the queries you need to set up Availability Groups using the new AlwaysOn technology. Once you are comfortable with these new features you will be ready to migrate your data to the cloud and into SQL Azure. An exploration of Hadoop will help you understand big data and how it really is the next big thing. This concise reference is for database administrators, SQL Server Developers and BI professionals. Anyone who is familiar with SQL Server 2008 R2 and needs to make the jump to the latest version with the shortest learning curve will find this book useful.

About the Author

Rachel Clements

Rachel Clements has worked as a software and database developer for over 15 years across a wide variety of private industries. She is currently a SQL Server BI Developer for an international power tools company in the UK. Her role encompasses all aspects of the BI stack, along with key database administration tasks.

After graduating from Solent University with a degree in Journalism, she began her career in London writing for The Times technology supplement, before becoming a full-time developer. She now specializes in SQL Server and business intelligence, writes articles for SQL Server Club (www.sqlserverclub.com), and tweets at @RachelClements.

As an active member of the technical community, she organizes the Bristol user group SQL Server Club (www.sqlserverclub.co.uk) and is a member of the Developer! Developer! Developer! South West team (www.dddsouthwest.com). Furthermore, Rachel is a regular volunteer at Europe's largest SQL Server conference, SQLBits.

Jon Reade

Edition details

• Publisher: Packt Pub Ltd
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 184968734X
• ISBN 13: 9781849687348
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 217