Database development resources

The following represents some of my favorite SQL Server resources that I turn to when I am researching a problem or pursuing my regular professional development activities:

Database development books

Inside Microsoft SQL Server 2005: T-SQL Querying and T-SQL Programming, Itzik Ben-Gan (Microsoft Press, 2006): This two-volume set ought to be within easy reach at every serious T-SQL developer's desk.

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Unleashed, Ray Rankins, Paul Bertucci, Chris Gallelli, Alex T. Silverstein, Tudor Trufinescu, and John Kane (Sams, 2007): Although this book focuses more on administration, developers will benefit from the excellent coverage of performance tuning that these authors provide.

The Guru's Guide to Transact-SQL, Ken Henderson (Addison-Wesley, 2000): A penetrating and nuanced book on T-SQL programming. Still valuable even though it's coverage is limited to SQL Server 2000.

Murach's SQL Server 2008 for Developers, Bryan Syverson and Joel Murach (Mike Murach and Associates, 2008): If you are just getting started on coding for SQL Server, there is no better place to start.

Business intelligence development books

Building a Data Warehouse: With Examples in SQL Server, Vincent Rainardi (Apress, 2007): A thorough introduction to data warehousing, this book takes the reader through analyzing business processes, data warehouse modeling, ETL development, reporting, business intelligence, testing, and maintenance.

Smart Business Intelligence Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Lynn Langit, Kevin S. Goff, Davide Mauri, Sahil Malik, and John Welch (Microsoft Press, 2009): Any text that can successfully combine both a wide breadth of introductory material with tips that inform even experienced developers is worth a read, and this book indeed fits that characterization.

Data Mining with Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Jamie MacLennan, ZhaoHui Tang, and Bogdan Crivat (Wiley, 2009): I must confess that data mining was somewhat of a mystery to me before I encountered this book. Considering that Jamie MacLennan and Bogdan Crivat work at Microsoft on developing SQL Server's data mining features, one cannot hope for a better set of guides through this extremely fascinating part of business intelligence development.

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services, Brian Larson (McGraw-Hill/Osborne, 2005): A supurb companion for any developer working with SSRS, one that is unsurpassed both as a step-by-step guide to this technology and as a reference for more advanced work. Also check out Mr. Larson's book on SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services.