Transact-SQL Desk Reference

Preface

For years I've wanted a single reference book that contained the Microsoft SQL Server SQL syntax for most of my common questions when writing SQL programs. I've needed one book that had not only the specific syntax for Microsoft SQL Server SQL, called Transact-SQL, with examples but also had some hints about the ANSI Standard SQL syntax. So when Mark Taub of Prentice Hall suggested that I write such a book, I was very receptive to the idea.

This book has a lot in common with Microsoft SQL Server on-line documentation called “Books Online,” but it has both more than and less than what's in BOL. Wording is changed in places in a hope to add clarity. It was omitted when a feature is very infrequently used. Also, many different examples are ...