There’s a ton of SQL Server books out there to help get you started on the road to becoming a database administrator. I’m going to start at the start of your career, and go forward.
| Category | Beginner Books |
Advanced Books |
Performance Tuner Books |
| Production Database Administration: Backups, restores, installing SQL, clustering, security. |
SQL 2008: SQL Server 2008 Administration in Action SQL 2005: |
SQL 2008: SQL Server 2008 Management and Administration |
SQL 2008: SQL Server 2008 Internals and Troubleshooting (I coauthored this) SQL 2005: |
| T-SQL Development: Stored procedures, queries, views, triggers. |
SQL 2008: SQL Server 2008 T-SQL Fundamentals |
SQL 2008: Inside SQL 2008 T-SQL Querying SQL 2005: SQL Server, Oracle, and MySQL: |
SQL 2008: SQL Server 2008 Query Performance Tuning Distilled SQL 2005: |
My Favorite Non-SQL Server Books
These books aren’t specific to DBAs, but are things I’ve found really helpful in my career:
Getting Things Done
Getting Things Done by David Allen
Do you get nervous at the thought of opening your email in-box because there’s so much piled up, and you don’t know where to begin? Do you struggle with to-do lists and project management software? Tired of struggling to keep your dayplanner up-to-date? Feel like you’re never going to catch up? Jealous of those folks on Twitter who keep shouting “Inbox Zero!”?
David Allen’s book Getting Things Done has been the answer for me and for a few of the folks I work with. It’s a simple, no-nonsense approach to managing daily tasks. Knowledge workers these days have an unending stream of incoming “stuff”, and the GTD philosophy is about rapidly handling as much as you can, as fast as you can, and feeling absolutely comfortable knowing that you can’t handle everything.
I showed my current manager into the GTD philosophy, and he caught on right away. He went from hundreds of emails in his in-box down to less than half a dozen in a couple of weeks. He responds faster to requests, and clearly feels confident in managing his day-to-day inflow of tasks.
You can buy the paperback on Amazon, and there’s also a Kindle version.
Time Management for Systems Administrators
Time Management for Systems Administrators by Thomas Limoncelli
If you’re not quite ready for the GTD strategy, check out this lighter version of the philosophy that’s tailored specifically for IT workers. It’s a much smaller book, and breaks down just what you need to know in order to get your work done faster. One of my former managers gave this out as a Christmas present a few years ago to all of his staff after I converted him to GTD.
You can buy the paperback on Amazon, and there’s also a Kindle version.
The Whuffie Factor
The Whuffie Factor by Tara Hunt
Whuffie is slang for social capital: your reputation, your credibility, your personal bankability. It’s not as simple as the number of followers you have on Twitter, because that doesn’t necessarily indicate your trustworthiness – there’s plenty of spammers who’ve mastered the art of the followback. It’s not as simple as the number of posts you’ve made on a forum somewhere, because that just indicates you’re really good at clicking the Submit button.
This concept isn’t just for marketing people – it matters to IT professionals. As we go through more and more layoffs, the concept of a lifelong career at the same company is nearly gone. You need to find out how to market yourself to find a job before it’s too late – and when you’ve been laid off, it’s already too late.
You can read my review of the Whuffie Factor, buy the paperback on Amazon, and there’s also a Kindle version.
Want My Opinion on a Book?
If you’d like me to review a book, feel free to email me at BrentO@BrentOzar.com.
Is it appropriate to share our SQL Server book recommendations here?
My first SQL book was “Sams Teach Yourself SQL in 10 Minutes” by Ben Forta. Ben is one of the best technical writers around and this book is an excellent introduction to SQL language. It introduces topics and then shows how the syntax differs for MS SQL, Oracle, and others.
I still refer to this book for quick answers, and in my opinion is a great first book for aspiring DBA’s such as myself.
[...] Brent Ozar provides a great list of Recommended Books for SQL Server DBAs. [...]
what does DBA stand for?
DataBase Administrator.
I wish I had a photo of your face when you answered that question.
Hey Brent,
Have you ever read Oreilly’s book? I found it to be quite a good read on the fundamentals of relational database theory.
Daniel
Wow, how did I manage to screw up that HTML tag? That is embarrassing!
Daniel – no, I haven’t read that, but I did save you from that awkward comment booboo by editing it, hahaha.
I want to become better at SSIS. What book do you suggest is good to get started?
Hi, Fran. I’ve never done SSIS work, so I wouldn’t be able to recommend a good book myself. I do know a few of the authors of this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Professional-Server-Integration-Services-Programmer/dp/0764584359/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245073594&sr=8-1
And they’re really smart folks.
Thanks Brent…
Hi Brent,
Do you have any recommendations for T-SQL books for administrators? I am looking at SQL 2005 and 2008 if that makes much difference.
Thanks!
JamieK
Jamie – good question. As crazy as this sounds, I like recommending SQL for Dummies – it’s good because it teaches proper ANSI syntax. If you write T-SQL with the ANSI syntax, your skills are more portable across different RDBMS’s.
Hi, Brent. I accidently found your website today and enjoyed reading about you and your career.
I’ved worked with DB2 on z/OS. But our recent major project will shift me to SQL Server. Which book would you recommend to read as a beginner?
James – it depends. What kind of work will you be doing on SQL Server? Writing T-SQL, administration, business intelligence, etc?
Basically everything, I believe.
There is no SQL DBA right now, only contractors in our agency. We are a DB2 shop on z/OS. There is one person who does a SQL DBA role, but he doesn’t have a SQL dba background. His position now is a help desk. Two of DBAs on z/OS (including me) will be shifting to SQL Server soon or later. I believe we will be doing all aspects of SQL server. I am interested in reading Administration since that’s what I have been doing.
James – okay, great, take the Administration book that’s on the top of this page.
Thank you, Brent, for your valuable advice. I would regard your advice as highly valuable and buy a book and start reading before I am shifted.
Hi how r u Brent Ozar ?
I just want to no the book which will be easy read and follow for the sql dba so please same me a book which will be most use full for me .. please send me the link to my mail sarath_e_chandra@yahoo.co.in
i have just finished college and looking at courses,books and online material for any introduction into DBA jobs i want to be a DBA and have all the qualifications such as SQL,MYSQL ect and i want to work on unix. is there any specific courses or type of job that is ?
also is becoming certified that important or does it just boost your pay levek
hi lousi naylor
how r u ? i also completed my course friend .. i am in search of a book for dba … so sorry that i cant help u in this one but one thing if ur going to do unix it is good but one thing .. just try on one thing .. it will be good ………………….
Louis – if you click on the Becoming a DBA tab at the top of my site, I’ve got several articles about this. Hope that helps!
Hi how r u Brent Ozar ?
I just want to no the book which will be easy read and follow for the sql dba so please same me a book which will be most use full for me .. please send me the link to my mail sarath_e_chandra@yahoo.co.in
Hi, Sarath. Click on Becoming a DBA, and I’ve got several links with recommended books.
Hi Brent thanks for ur information
Brent,
I’ve been reading Itzik Ben-Gan’s book SQL Server 2008 T-SQL Fundamentals and it’s a great book on T-SQL. He starts with set theory and shows lots of examples. Choose this book because Itzik is supposed to be the T-SQL guru. I’m a sys admin and also a accidental DBA .
Thanks Brent and Dave S, both of your suggestions are very helpful!
JamieK
hi Brent. i am very much impressed with your answers.i m gerate fan of u Brent.i started reading sql server dba in online.but i want one hardcopy book.so please suggest me which book is good for starter of sql server dba 2005 and 2008. please suggest me book name and author. thank you.
Ball – hi, thanks for the compliments. What kind of work would you like to do with SQL Server? Management, T-SQL development, business intelligence, etc?
hi brent thanks for your responce. i am getting training in sql server production dba. my kind of work is backup and restore, logshipping,replication,miroring..etc. i am strong in sql and plsql and i worked as a plsql devolper. now i am going to place as a sql server production dba according to my client requirement. pease think that i am starter to sql server dba and suggest me good book with author name for 2005 and 2008 editions. thank you.
OK, I would recommend the first book on this page, SQL Server 2008 Management and Administration by Ross Mistry.
hi,i wanted to know dba role and responsibility.and also wanted what is best for dba oracle or sql in currnt it field.
i wanted to make our carrier as dba.pls tell me how it is
better to make our carrier as a dba.and how we got fresher salary as a dba role.
Vinod – check out the articles in my Becoming a DBA section where I’ve written a lot about this.
thank you brent.
helo brent one more suggetion plz.
i heares that “70-431 sql sever 2005 maintanence and implemenation” by microsoft book also good for sql server dba starters. is it?
Sorry, but I can’t address anything I haven’t reviewed here. Your best bet is to check places like Amazon.com’s reviews.
Hi Brent,
one more suggestion for the [DBCC LOG]
How to see statement [Insert,Delete,Update]?
BR,
Samurai
You’ll need to buy a third-party product like Quest LiteSpeed for SQL Server that can read the transaction log and show what happened.
Brent, not sure if you would be able to answer this or not. Our company uses SQL Server 2005. Would “Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Management and Administration” apply to 2005 as well or would it be better to get the 2005 version of the book?
If you’re exclusively using 2005 and have no plans to go to 2008 in the next 12-18 months, then I’d get a book that focuses on 2005. The 2008 book does cover a lot of 2008-specific details.
I’ve just picked up “Getting Things Done” last week. I’ve been reading it, well, on my free time. Here is where I first heard of the GTD book. It is really life changing, although, I should say that I am only at the beginning chapters of the book. Brent’s description is quite accurate. Just grab the book!
Marlon – congrats! Glad you like it. It’s really empowering.
Hi Brent,Just accidentaly got your Website while Googling.I want to shift my carrer to Sql server DBA.Currently working with Dell technical support.I thing you can be a Good Guide.What is the first step to enter the Field?
Hi, Vishal. I’ve got a lot of posts and info about it. Click Becoming a DBA at the top of this page and you’ll be able to read it. Thanks!
hi brent,
i have some questions.
1.if i have to give MCTS exams on sql server 2008
can i practice by installing evaluation version of 2008
2.
i m also keen to learn reporting and integration services.
can i learn these services with help of evaluation version 2008.
Hi. The answer to both is yes. Hope that helps!
Hi Brent:
1. I am brand spanking new to the IT field, I would like to know which book is the best for someone who knows nothing about SQL?
2. I would like to become either a DBA or SQl admin one day, what should i do to accomplish this goal?
3. I have been using SQL 2008 for dummies as my first “training book”, what book do you suggest for me to read once I finish THE DUMMIES?
4. I plan to take 70-433 as my first microsoft certification, I know it might not help me to land a job as a DBA, but I would like it to be on my resume. Is there any other books or online videos that would help me prepare for the test?
5. which book should i get first for the junior level? SQL 2008 admin in action or SQL 2008 fundametal?
Thank you very much for your help
Nick
Hi, Nick! Here’s some thoughts:
1. It depends on what you want to accomplish. Since you mentioned you would like to become a DBA or SQL admin, I’d go with the books in the “Production DBA” section.
Look at both books and see which one you like best.
2. Get a job in a shop with SQL Servers and an existing senior DBA that you can get mentoring from.
3. The books in the Production DBA section.
4. I haven’t taken that test, so I don’t have good answers for you there.
5. I can see that you like asking the same question in many different ways.
Brent:
thank you very much for your help.
Nick
I want to recommend a book for beginners.
As a beginner for SQL Server Database administration, I found this book very helpful.
The book title is ‘Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Step by Step’. The author is ‘Mike Hotek’. I downloaded a trial version of SQL Server 2008 from MSDN website and practiced following the book. You can use the pracitce files from the CD that comes with the book and copy and paste and run and understand the book.
Hi Brent
I am working as a DBA on mysql platform. But want ot shift to SQL Server. I am also doing Oracle dba certification. pls suggest me the books related to sql dba trak as well as developer trak so that I can learn writing SP’s in sql server.
Thanks
I did, dude – they’re at the top of this page.