Beginners Only?
As a very experienced developer I needed to learn about SQL Server Reporting Services as quick as possible as for a project I am starting. I bought this title primarily based on the great reviews, I must say I was very disappointed. If you are already a developer or report writer then I would say this book is not for you.
The book started out alright but when I got to chapter 3 titled 'DB 101 : Database Basics' I kind of figured I may have the wrong book. Next chapters were on various levels of report creation, no explanation of the report to be created or it's features, just a very detailed list of step by step instructions to make the report.
I know many learn by example but I learned nothing here as I can not take the time nor do I learn from following mindless step by step direction. After a few chapters like this I quit reading the book.
Exactly what I needed
I am a veteran SQL developer but never got into Reporting services. This book was the perfect balance of getting started and doing real work. After 2 or 3 days I was developing my own reports and deploying them to the company. It contained good (accurate) examples that were very close to what I needed to be doing. It was not fluffed up with nonesense to create more pages like some books are. It was clear, precise and useful. The example that was followed throughout the books was well developed. That allowed me to focus on the reporting not the example.
Sql server 2005 Reportin Service, Brian Larson
SAVE YOUR MONEY!!! This is a book seems to be targetting retarded. There is a chapter on datbase concepts - if some one does not know, it is unlikely they will be reading reporting services. Too much fluff and descriptions are buried in the fluff. If you skip the fluff, you may find yourself difficult to connect dots. Too much details on formatting fonts, colors which is completly useless.
Save your money....
There's obviously 2 versions of this book: Version 1 uses the Adventureworks data; Version 2 uses Galactic Shipping data.....Installing the Galactic database and info is IMPOSSIBLE!!! Make sure you get the first version or you will truly be sorry (like I am!!!)....Other than that, the book is great.....but finding the download and installing it is truly more trouble than it's worth.......BEWARE!!!
Good textbook, poor reference
I agree with others who say this book is fine as a text but a poor reference. The best way to use this book is read it cover to cover, work out the examples at your computer and take your own notes, because the structure of the book just doesn't lend itself to use as a reference. There is a lot of good information here, but it isn't easy to use outside of the context in which it was written.
(45 reviews)
