This essential reference is designed for database developers and administrators who need to write queries and develop code using Transact-SQL (T-SQL), the Microsoft implementation of the standard SQL language. Guided by SQL Server guru Itzik Ben-Gan, you'll walk through the steps for writing queries, including retrieving and modifying data, with an overview of programmable objects supported by SQL Server 2008. Rather than focusing just on the syntactical elements of T-SQL, however, this book explains the logic behind the language-helping you develop a true, core understanding of the elements and how to use them. You will learn to think in terms of sets, and follow real-world best practices for T-SQL programming. To complement the learning experience, the book provides exercises to practice and apply what you've learned. And you'll examine recommended solutions to compare with your own work.