Learning SQL on SQL Server 2005

Colophon

The animal on the cover of Learning SQL on SQL Server 2005 is a Spanish ribbed newt (Pleurodeles waltl). This salamander inhabits the ponds, lakes, and calm brooks of the Iberian Peninsula and Morocco. The ribbed newt is an amphibian, but is rarely found on land; if its watery habitat dries out, the newt burrows into mud and waits for rain.

The ribbed newt gets its name from the pointed ribs that can often be seen poking through its skin. This feature protects the newts from some enemies—their obviously sharp bones discourage predators in search of tender prey. When attacked, the newt can force the ribs through its own skin, presenting a pointed defense. The ribs also resemble warts, common in more poisonous newt species. Although the ribbed newt is not as toxic as others, their similarities give predators pause.

The ribbed newt is an able swimmer and voracious predator. It consumes most attainable moving prey, including aquatic insects, other invertebrates or amphibians, and small fish.

The cover image is from the Dover Pictoral Archive. The cover font is Adobe ITC Garamond. The text font is Linotype Birka; the heading font is Adobe Myriad Condensed; and the code font is LucasFont’s TheSans Mono Condensed.