Pro SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services

by Rodney Landrum, Shawn McGhee, Walter J. Voytek II, et al.

Book Overview

Pro SQL Server Reporting Services 2008 is the third edition of Apress' top book on Microsoft's enterprise-level reporting tool. The previous edition has sold some 2100 units over a two-year period. This revision, combined with the impending release of SQL Server 2008 breath new life into the topic, and into this book.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1590599926
• ISBN13: 9781590599921
• Release Date: August 2008
• Publisher: Apress
• Length: 424 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 7.5" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

SQL server 2008 reporting services review

The book is well laid out and well written, concise, and fairly easy to understand, provided you have some existing knowlege of sql server. As with most of these books and training material, they're ultimately geared toward the Enterprise edition of sql server. This book is no different, however, there is much that can be learned even by the novice programmer utilizing ways to do reports in sql server, even the Express edition, there's always a way. As with most books I've read and worked through, sometimes you have to do a little digging for the answer, but, it's always there. The knowlege presented by the book is still very much worth learning.

From the Author

I take owenership, both good and bad, for this book as its primary author. I appreciate the great feedback I have received for the series of books on Reporting Services. I know that though we have strived to produce a quality book using real-life examples, sometimes readers have issues with the content, the code, the samples, etc. While many have given high praise of the book, others, like the previous reviews, have had dissenting opinions. It is of course our goal to create quality work as our names are attached to it (believe me it is not for the money) and this book is no different. Please feel free to contact me personally with any issues. As I have done with anyone who has taken the time to contact me I will personally see to it that whatever issues you may be experiencing are resolved be it by a return e-mail or a personal phone call whereby I can also understand the projects you may be working on. My e-mail address is widely dispersed on the Internet or you can contact me via the publisher. Either way, of course I want everyone who purchases this book to have an error-free experience. Most have. I know your time is valuable. Thanks again for the feedback. Rodney Landrum

Excellent Read!

I recently was introduced to this book when I met the author who was speaking at a recent SQL users group I attended. It turned out to be fortuitous as I had just taken a position where writing reports with SSRS was at the top of my task list. The book includes a pre-populated database based on a healthcare application which was also coincidental for me as those were the types of reports I would be writing. I found the samples in the book to be intuitive and build upon one another so that in the end, what started out as a blank report with one or two data sets became a full report. It was a good idea to have the ending report included in the code so tracking back was also possible and fairly easy. I had a couple of questions on how to tie what I was learning into the reports I was writing. I contacted the author directly and he was quick to respond with suggestions. I also like the fact that there is a whole chapter on efficiently designing queries and datasets, critical to any report. In conclusion I think this book is a great way for anyone to learn about SSRS. I went from knowing nothing of SSRS to being the "Report Guy" at my company all thanks to this book. The great part is even if you already know what you think to be "everything there is to know" about SSRS this book will still help you around some of those hard to find answers and reveal very useful ideas you can implement to make any report more useful and informative. I still find myself referencing the "SSRS Bible" (which sets on my desk at all times) from time to time whenever I need a solution to a problem. Thanks guys and keep up the great work!

A Mandatory Read and Reference!

This book is by far one of the most technically packed that I have purchased in some time, and I have over 20 years of manipulating data and writing 1000s of reports. As with anything powerful, like this book and the product it covers, there is a learning curve; however, the authors have created a logically structured flow of information so to bring the intermediate report writing developer up to advanced in short order. In addition, the samples and SQL used in the book are very realistic, and having a complete real database (downloadable from the publisher's website) on which to learn Reporting Services 2008 is certainly icing-on-the-cake for the true detail-oriented reporting developer who is serious about producing virtually any kind of report his/her client may want. Also, the book covers using [...], deploying reports, managing reports, including the security of reports. and has a section on delivering Business Intelligence reports. It is packed with information. In short, I recommend this book for intermediate to advanced report developers. It is very easy to read and follow, and can get you up and running quickly. It is overflowing with information, insight, and experience. This is a mandatory read and reference if you are serious about moving printed, digital, or web-based data to end users via SQL Server Reporting Services!!

Computer Genie

covers everything i needed to know in designing reports for my company. i would recommend this book to anyone faced with the tasks of creating useful reporting systems. Computer Genie...