Inside Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008: T-SQL Programming

Foreword

Let me start with a few words about the lead author of this book, Itzik Ben-Gan. He is a mentor, consultant, presenter, teacher, and writer. All his roles have a common theme—Microsoft SQL Server programming. But wait—there’s even more: he is an MVP (officially “Microsoft Valued Professional,” but often interpreted as Most Valuable Programmer) and a close partner with many SQL Server developers in Redmond, Washington. The combination of these traits puts Itzik into a unique position when writing a book about SQL Server programming. He knows what works and what does not. He knows what performs and what does not. He knows what questions people ask when he is teaching. And he knows what people grasp easily and what they don’t when it comes ...