Chapter 14 introduces you to SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) which is a reporting service that runs on top of IIS. From this you can build reports from any source. It then can be accessed from a parameterized URL, or through the report viewer control via Windows or Web forms.
Chapter 15 describes SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) which is a platform for building data-integration and workflow solutions from which you can merge data from different sources as well as perform administrative tasks such as backing up and copying data.
Chapter 16, 17, 18 and 19 will show you how to work with SQL Server Agent to automate administrative tasks such as running jobs and monitoring SQL Server. You will learn about Service Broker and how you can use the technology to build scalable, loosely coupled database applications. By using Notification Services you can learn how to generate and send messages to subscribers on a variety of devices. And by using replication, you will see how to copy and distribute data and database objects between databases.
Chapter 20 will expose you to SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) to provide online Analytical Processing (OLAP) and data-mining functionality. You will learn how to programmatically query data and metadata.
Chapter 21 gives an overview of working with SQL Server Mobile Edition to run database applications on mobile devices. It will show how to create and manage databases and objects as well as programmatically synchronizing data.
The appendix is all about ADO.NET 2.0 and the collection of classes that let .NET applications access data stored in a wide variety of data sources. ADO.NET 2.0 is a new update and this appendix describes the new functionality.
Programming SQL Server 2005 is not a reference book, nor does it cover any administration of SQL Server nor does it cover conversion from SQL 2000 to 2005. Also, it does not cover the differences between 2000 and 2005 in any great detail.
What it does do well, very well in fact, is to introduce all of the things new to 2005. Obviously, to go into detail of all the topics here would require five volumes. I think that this book is a perfect volume for the person who has worked with and is comfortable with SQL Server 2000 and now wants to learn 2005. While it will be good for those with SQL knowledge and no experience with any Microsoft SQL Sever platform, they may want to also get Learning SQL on SQL Server 2005 also by O'Reilly to fill in some of the gaps.
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