Transact-SQL is a procedural language used on both Microsoft SQL Server and Sybase SQL Server systems. It is a full-featured programming language that dramatically extends the power of SQL (Structured Query Language).The language provides programmers with a broad range of features, including:* A rich set of datatypes, including specialized types for identifiers, timestamps, images, and long text fields* Local and global variables* Fully programmable server objects like views, triggers, stored procedures, and batch command files* Conditional processing* Exception and error handling* Full transaction control* System stored procedures that reduce the complexity of many operations, like adding users or automatically generating HTML Web pagesIn recent years, the versions of Transact-SQL have diverged on Microsoft and Sybase systems, the book explains the differences. It also contains up-to-the-minute information on the latest versions: Microsoft SQL Server versions 6.5 and 7.0 and Sybase version 11.5.A brief table of contents follows:PART I: The Basics: Programming in Transact-SQL1. Introduction to Transact-SQL2. Matching Business Rules3. SQL Primer4. Transact-SQL Fundamentals5. Format and StylePART II: The Building Blocks: Transact-SQL Language Elements6. Datatypes and Variables7. Conditional Processing8. Row Processing with Cursors9. Error Handling10. Temporary Objects11. Transactions and LoggingPART III: Functions and Extensions12. Functions13. CASE Expressions and Transact-SQL ExtensionsPART IV: Programming Transact-SQL Objects14. Stored Procedures and Modular Design15. Triggers16. Views17. System and Extended Stored Procedures and BCPPART V: Performance Tuning and Optimization18. Transact-SQL Code Design19. Code Maintenance in the SQL Server20. Transact-SQL Optimization and Tuning21. Debugging Transact-SQL ProgramsPART VI: AppendixesA. System TablesB. What's New for Transact-SQL in Microsoft SQL Server 7.0? C. BCPThe book comes with a CD-ROM containing an extensive set of examples from the book and complete programs that illustrate the power of the language.