Here's a list of the resources that I describe in this article (plus a couple of extras). When you're looking for online resources, remember that SQL Server is now classified as a Microsoft .NET Enterprise Server. I've tried to include the most recent editions of books. For example, you might notice that most of the recommended books cover SQL Server 2000 and Windows 2000. If you're using SQL Server 7.0, look for an earlier edition of the book. Also, because many concepts in SQL Server 7.0 work the same way in SQL Server 2000, books about SQL Server 2000 can still be useful, especially for programmers. Just be sure to make note of which items are new in SQL Server 2000. Finally, look for other books by the same authors. I based all of my book recommendations on whether the author does a good job of explaining complex concepts in easily understandable terms. There are dozens of books about SQL Server; therefore, it makes sense to stick with authors who explain things in a way you can understand.
BOOKS
Judith S. Bowman, et al.
The Practical SQL Handbook: Using Structured Query Language (Addison-Wesley, 1993)
Joe Celko and Jim Gray
Joe Celko's SQL for Smarties: Advanced SQL Programming,
2nd edition (Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, 1999)
David Chappell
Understanding Windows 2000 Distributed Services (Microsoft
Press, 1999)
Kalen Delaney
Inside Microsoft SQL Server 2000 (Microsoft Press, 2000)
Kenton Gardinier and Chris Amaris
Windows 2000 Performance Tuning & Optimization
(Osborne/ McGraw-Hill, 2001)
Microsoft
Deploying Microsoft SQL Server 7.0: Notes
from the Field (Microsoft Press, 1999)
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Resource Kit (Microsoft Press, 2001)
Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 Resource Guide (Microsoft Press, 1999)
Michael D. Reilly and Michelle A. Poolet
SQL Server 2000 Design and T-SQL Programming
(McGraw-Hill Professional, 2000)
David A. Solomon and Helen Custer
Inside Microsoft Windows NT,
2nd edition (Microsoft Press, 1998)
David A. Solomon and Mark Russinovich
Inside Microsoft Windows 2000 (Microsoft Press, 2000)
Ron Soukup
Inside Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 (Microsoft Press, 1997)
Ron Soukup and Kalen Delaney
Inside Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 (Microsoft Press, 1999)
Rob Vieira
Professional SQL Server 2000 Programming (Wrox Press, 2000)
ONLINE RESOURCES
Alliance of Windows IT Professionals
http://www.winnetmag.com/awitp
Microsoft
MSDN Library
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library
Microsoft SQL Server
http://www.microsoft.com/sql
Microsoft SQL Server Technical Resources
http://www.microsoft.com/sql/techinfo
Microsoft TechNet
http://www.microsoft.com/technet
Microsoft Training & Certification
http://www.microsoft.com/trainingandservices
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Resource Kit
http://www.microsoft.com/sql/techinfo/reskit/default.asp
Professional Association for SQL Server
http://www.sqlpass.org
SQL Server Magazine
http://www.sqlmag.com
SQL-Server-Performance.Com
http://www.sql-server-performance.com
T-SQL Solutions
http://www.tsqlsolutions.com
VMware
http://www.vmware.com
Swynk.com
http://www.swynk.com
MOC COURSES
Course 832: System Administration for Microsoft SQL Server 7.0
Course 833: Implementing a Database on Microsoft SQL Server 7.0
Course 1560: Updating Support Skills from Microsoft Windows
NT 4.0 to Microsoft Windows 2000
Course 2071: Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2000 with
Transact-SQL
Course 2072: Administering a Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Database
Course 2073: Programming a Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Database
Course 2074: Designing and Implementing OLAP Solutions
with Microsoft SQL Server 2000
Course 2152: Implementing Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional and Server
Course 2153: Implementing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure
Course 2154: Implementing and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Directory Services