70-431 or 70-291?

I've been doing a lot of XML lately. The more I get into SQL Server 2005, and dig into the depth of material required for the 70-431 exam, the more I realise that I really do need at least a whole year of experience working with SQL Server on some real projects. I also need to spend some time working on my skills, especially since a relatively good understanding of topics such as database design, XML and Transact-SQL are given prerequisites, only hinted at in the Official Exam Guide. I also feel that it helps to have time to 'revisit' some of the more subtle features and ideas a few times. My aim is still to be a system admin who can also do databases to reasonably high degree of competency.

To keep up the momentum on my MCSA goal, I've decided I need to take another exam sooner rather than later and, much as SQL Server is really cool, I think it is going to be more realistic to take the 70-291 next ('Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure', see: this link for the Official Exam Preparation Guide). I'm probably at least halfway there; for example I run my own DCHP server and have a basic understanding what DNS is about. So I've ordered the latest (2nd) edition of the Microsoft 70-291 Self-Paced Training Guide (ISBN 0735622884).

So ... I'll be posting more networking and server stuff in the near future, but I will be continuing with my database studies and will continuing posting SQL Server pieces. The good news is that I will probably post more frequently.

Mastering XML

SQL Server 2005 has new XML handling features that Microsoft is very proud of. Therefore, in order to pass the 70-431, mastering these features is pretty much essential. This presupposes that one is confident with XML!

Although I thought I had an idea of what XML and some its allied technologies was about, if I am honest, I can't really say I am confident and my experience is rather limited (a largely unsuccessful attempt at using XML DOM a few years ago). XML is now popping up all over the place and seems to be involved in many of the newer Microsoft technologies including SQL Server 2005. When I did the the modules that discussed XML features in the 2779 course, I could understand what was going on at a high level (from what I do know about XML) but I did wonder if I really understood what was going on.

I've decided as part of my preparation for the 70-431 I can no longer put off getting to grips with XML technologies - at least enough to use the XML features of SQL Server 2005 with some confidence. So this week I went hunting for a new book. I found XML in Easy Steps by Mike McGrath (ISBN 1-84078-124-6). I like this book as it pretty much does exactly as it suggests and builds up its explanation of XML, and allied technologies, a step at a time. Beyond basic XML, which admittedly is fairly straight forward to understand, it covers the following XML technologies: DTDs, XMLSchema, XML namespaces, XSL transformation, XPath language, CSS (for XML formating), XLink, XPointer and XML DOM. Although SQL Server 2005 uses XQuery to extract information from XML, XQuery is a new language built on XPath and I am hoping understanding XPath will ease my way into understanding XQuery. I have already spent some time with this book and the XML haze is already beginning to clear. I will let you know how I get on with the book and how it helps with understanding the XML features that I need to understand for the 70-431 exam.

CramSession Study Guide and the PrepLogic Mega Guide

Ages ago, when I started studying for the 70-270 exam (Windows XP), I joined Cramsession. CramSession are more-or-less resellers for PrepLogic products fronted by a somewhat useful Certification site, which includes 'free' (as in you have to join their mailing list) study guides and (exam-type) 'Question-of-the-day'.

Regrettably, there wasn't a great deal of material on 70-431, or SQL Server 2005 in general, when I visited earlier today. I had previously found the site quite useful for the 70-270 and 70-290 exams. However, if you do sign up, a 49 page Study Guide for 70-431 exam is available.

Closer inspection reveals that the Study Guide is actually a severely edited version of the 124 page PrepLogic MegaGuide for which you would normally pay $34. You can see this clearly if you also download the sample MegaGuide for 70-431 from PrepLogic and compare the first few pages. However, the Study Guide does appear to have all the topic headings such that the two together give you quite a good idea of the contents and depth of the 70-431 MegaGuide, before you part with any cash.

Very Cool "Snap" Previews on External Links

I've just added miniature previews on external links thanks to Snap. Hover your mouse pointer over an external link so you can see what I mean. Not sure how useful this is, but it's very nice eye candy nonetheless!

More LearnITFirst.com Videos

As an update to my earlier post here a list SQL Server videos currently available for free from the LearnITFirst.com sites (relevant to SQL Server 2005 or both versions):

learnsqlserver.com

None - i.e. only SQL Server 2000 specific videos. :-(

learnsqlserver2005.com

Part 1 - An Overview of the Default SQL Server Installation
Length: 10:29, File size: 6.99MB, Applies to Versions: SQL Server 2005

Pt. 1 - An Introduction to the Concepts and Terms of SQL Server Replication
Length: 10:54, File size: 6.57MB, Applies to Versions: SQL Server - All Versions

Why You Use SCOPE_IDENTITY() Instead of @@IDENTITY
Length: 12:17, File size: 9.10MB, Applies to Versions: SQL Server - All Versions

learnsqlserver2000.com

Pt. 1 - An Introduction to Using Views in SQL Server
Length: 8:15, File size: 5.82MB, Applies to Versions: SQL Server - All Versions

learntransactsql.com

SET Commands for Working with NULL values
Length: 8:48, File size: 6.39MB, Applies to Versions: SQL Server - All Versions

learnintegrationservices.com

Tips on Documenting and Annotating Your SSIS Packages
Length: 9:32, File size: 8.00MB, Applies to Versions: SQL Server 2005

Options for Migrating from SQL Server 2000 DTS to SSIS in SQL Server 2005
Length: 13:10, File size: 9.22MB, Applies to Versions: SQL Server 2005

Pt. 1 - Expressions - An Introduction to Using Expressions in SSIS
Length: 15:34, File size: 14.2MB, Applies to Versions: SQL Server 2005

Microsoft SQL Server Learning Links and Free E-Learning

Link to "Dig Deep into Microsoft SQL Server 2005" here. Futher down the page, in the E-Learning section (here), it explains how to get an activation code that gives free access to some very relevant e-learning courses:

Course 2936: Installing and Securing Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Learn the architecture of Microsoft SQL Server 2005, install Microsoft SQL Server 2005, and secure your databases.

Course 2937 - Administering and Monitoring Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Use Microsoft SQL Server 2005 administration tools, monitor the technology, and maintain databases and indexes.

Course 2938 - Data Availability Features in Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Perform backup and restore operations, configure database mirroring, and configure replication using Microsoft SQL Server 2005.

These are all relevant to 70-431. However I have seen comments on forums to the effect that while the material is certainly useful and relevant, a bit further depth is required for the exam. The activation code also enables various discounts on other courses (I believe this offer runs until April 2007).

Other useful links include "Microsoft SQL Server 2005 – Learning Portal" here and "MSDN SQL Server Developer Centre - Learning and Training Resources" here.

Enjoy!

Microsoft Support Downloadable Webcasts

A few more webcasts here.