IT programming books related reviews
Title: Professional PHP Programming
Publisher:
Authors: Jesus Castagnetto, Sascha Schumann, Harish Rawat, Chris Scollo, Deepak T. Veliath
Rating: 5/5
I never heard of PHP before I was assigned a project for a class that required the use of MySQL and PHP. My project was done in three days after recieving this book.The best thing about Professional Php Programming is the great examples and a no-nosense get the job done approach.
Title: Creating Interactive Web Sites with PHP and Web Services
Publisher: Sybex
Authors: Eric Rosebrock, Eric Rosebrock, Sybex
Rating: 1/5
I would not buy this book unless you already know PHP well enough to spot the errors in code and other things that were left out of the text. Unfortunately, I don't know PHP well enough to do that, and I have spent hours and hours on the Internet, trying to figure out what the author REALLY meant to say in a particular chapter. This is a frustrating book for the beginner.Interestingly, the first page of the introduction says that the author wished for a book written by someone who takes the time to explain every step of the learning process, instead of listing lines of code with no explanation. This book claims to be just such a book, and then slaps you with "See where I configured the config.php file for the $cfg['PmaAbsoluteUri'] setting..." with no further explanation, in a chapter entitled "Building a Database Schema with MySQL."There probably is good information in this book. Unfortunately, in order to find it, I'll have to purchase something else, and then return to this book after I know PHP.
Title: Beginning SQL Server 2000 Programming
Publisher: Wrox Press
Authors: Robin Dewson
Rating: 3/5
This is an excellent book for learning to install, configure and manage SQL Server. However, the the title is a little misleading. The empasis not programming but admin. The few programming examples included are so intermingled with the admin stuff that they are hard to follow. This book will quickly get you to the point that you can start programming, but you need another book to go beyond that point.
Title: Beginning Visual Basic SQL Server 7.0
Publisher: Wrox Press
Authors: Thearon Willis
Rating: 4/5
This is an excellent book if and only if you already have experience in Vb and SQL. Definitely not for beginners. Lots of very good learning examples easy to read and understand. Good tool for getting you up to speed quickly.
Title: SQL Server The Complete Reference
Publisher: Osborne Publishing
Authors: Gayle Coffman
Rating: 1/5
If you're interested in knowing the big picture of SQL Server 7.0, this book is for you. However, if you're like most of us DBAs and Designers, you need a little more information than "what's new with SQL Server 7.0". I want to know *how* to make the application work! I found this book to be generally useless.
Title: MCSE Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Database Design and Implementation: Readiness Review Exam 70-229 (Pro-Certification)
Publisher: Microsoft Press
Authors: Sharon Bjeletich, Eddy Hahn
Rating: 2/5
There are 6 domains and 20 objective, in those 6 domains, of Exam, so count how many questions are per domain (6!!!). Some topics have only 3 questions, and on Exam you will get 3 or more questions from that objective.Before every domain there is list of articles (Training Kit + Books Online) to read for that domain, and every time they write how to start Books Online (klik Start menu, Programs, etc.) 3 - 4 line for somebody that goes on 70-229!!!.1/4 (to 1/3) of almost every page is unused (empty).If 2 or more answers are wrong for the same reason, they will repeat explanation, several lines, again and again.Some questions are for total begginers, and for some you need a lot of expirience.During my web exam expirience I noticed that questions are a little bit easier than the most on the Internet.So if you are total begginer and you have extra money, buy it, but for expirienced people I recomend something like www.certportal.com or other web sites.
Title: Inside Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 (Microsoft Programming Series)
Publisher: Microsoft Pr
Authors: Ron Soukup
Rating: 5/5
This book hits all the right buttons for a developer. I really like the Transact-SQL Examples and Brainteasers section. If you do anything with SQL Server (including admin), you will find the whole book really illuminating.
Title: Microsoft SQL Server 7 Administrator's Guide
Publisher: Muska & Lipman/Premier-Trade
Authors: Ron Talmage
Rating: 4/5
I'm new to really learning in depth knowledge about SQL 7.0( its easy to install right? ;-)) but this book seems to have been written by someone who has experience with SQL which according to the Author's credentials, it's understandable: "Ron Talmage is Senior Database Developer with GTE Enterprise Solutions.... He is also a part-time SQL Server instructor for ST Labs.... He writes regularly for SQL Server Professional...." I'll agree with one of the other comments that this book may not be the best how-to quick reference book, but if you want to feel confident about understanding SQL 7.0 from an experienced DBA--this book will definitely help.I'm also ordering MS SQL Server Admin Train Kit( ISBN: 1572318279 as the Transcender SQL 7.0 refers to the "SQLSBO"( SQL Server Books online) for almost all the questions; and the training kit is pretty much the same as SQLSBO but I like the written books better--and Amazon is selling at a great price %50 off! the 100 buck retail price.Rob Hutchinson, MCSE, MCP + I( and working on MCSE + I)
Title: Dreamweaver MX: PHP Web Development
Publisher: Peer Information
Authors: Bruno Mairlot, Gareth Downes-Powell, Tim Green
Rating: 4/5
I think this book is a good buy. I sure did open my eyes to a world of development I never thought possible without Dreamweaver. PHP is so powerful and this book let's you harness those great features of PHP.
Title: Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 Database Implementation Online Training Kit: McSe Training for Exam 70-029 (It-Online Training Kit)
Publisher: Microsoft Press Rating: 4/5
This book is an excellent starting point for those who wish to tackle the 70-029 exam. However, don't expect to pass it without additional resources. I recommend "Professional Sql Server 7.0 Programming" by Robert Vieira. I also suggest the Transender practice tests and lots of practice with the product. However, this book is great for beginners. It is well written, easy to understand with numerous examples that clarify the topics. Four thumbs up!

