Sample chapters

Managing Servers Running Windows Server 2012

• Sep 15, 2012
• This chapter from Windows Server 2012 Pocket Consultant covers the roles, resources, and features available in Windows Server 2012 including the tools used for installation, setup and configuration, and management.

Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Integration Services Overview

• Sep 15, 2012
• This chapter, from Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Integration Services, describes several common data integration scenarios and provides a high-level overview of the SSIS features that address the requirements for each scenario.

New SSIS 2012 Designer Features

• Sep 15, 2012
• This chapter, from Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Integration Services, provides an overview of the new features and productivity enhancements in the Integration Services designer for SQL Server Data Tools.

Overview and C++ AMP Approach

• Sep 15, 2012
• In this chapter from C++ AMP, you’ll learn the basic differences between a CPU and a GPU, two of the possible components of a heterogeneous computing solution, and what kinds of problems are suitable for acceleration using these parallel techniques. Then you’ll review the CPU and GPU parallel techniques in use today, followed by an introduction to the concepts behind C++ AMP, to lay the groundwork for the details in the subsequent chapters.

Programming with the Kinect for Windows Software Development Kit: Algorithmic Gestures and Postures

• Sep 15, 2012
• In this chapter from Programming with the Kinect for Windows Software Development Kit, you will learn how to detect postures and gestures using an algorithmic approach.

Programming with the Kinect for Windows Software Development Kit: Displaying Kinect Data

• Sep 15, 2012
• In this chapter from Programming with the Kinect for Windows Software Development Kit you will learn how to display the different Kinect streams. You will also write a tool to display skeletons and to locate audio sources.

Troubleshooting Windows Startup and Shutdown Problems

• Sep 15, 2012
• This chapter, from Windows Internals, Part 2, 6th Edition, describes the steps required to boot Windows and the options that can affect system startup.

Understanding the Windows I/O System

• Sep 15, 2012
• This chapter from Windows Internals, Part 2, 6th Edition lists the design goals of the Windows I/O system which have influenced its implementation. It covers the components that make up the I/O system, including the I/O manager, Plug and Play (PnP) manager, and power manager, and also examines the structure and components of the I/O system and the various types of device drivers.

What Is JavaScript?

• Sep 15, 2012
• This chapter from Start Here! Learn JavaScript introduces the basics of JavaScript, including what it can and can’t do, and how it relates to other programming and markup languages. You'll also write your first JavaScript program.

Windows Server 2012 Administration Overview

• Sep 15, 2012
• This chapter from Windows Server 2012 Pocket Consultant covers getting started with Windows Server 2012 and explores the extent to which the architectural changes affect how you work with and manage Windows Server 2012.

Working with Multiple Accelerators in C++ AMP

• Sep 15, 2012
• This chapter from C++ AMP shows how to choose among different C++ AMP accelerators and select the best ones for your code. It also covers running C++ AMP on more than one accelerator and using Parallel Patterns Library (PPL) code running on the CPU to orchestrate the GPU accelerators or execute work more suited to the CPU.

Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases: Clustering and AlwaysOn

• Jul 15, 2012
• In this chapter from Training Kit (Exam 70-462): Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases, you learn about how to deploy both failover clustering and AlwaysOn Availability Groups.

An Introduction to the Kinect Sensor

• Jul 15, 2012
• Learn how the Kinect sensor generates data about the world around it, the key components of the Kinect sensor and how they work, and how the sensors and the Kinect provide useful signals to a connected computer or console, in this chapter from Start Here! Learn the Kinect API.

Creating and Editing SVG Graphics

• Jul 15, 2012
• Learn the core concepts to begin tapping into your visual creativity. The authors walk you through a process that uses all of the basic shape elements of SVG.

Getting Started with the Kinect for Windows SDK

• Jul 15, 2012
• In this chapter from Start Here! Learn the Kinect API, learn how to get a Kinect sensor bar working with a Windows 7 computer and get a quick glimpse of its capabilities.

Introducing SQL Server Data Tools

• Jul 15, 2012
• In this chapter from Programming Microsoft SQL Server 2012, you’ll learn how to use SSDT inside Visual Studio to significantly enhance your productivity as a SQL Server developer. It begins with an overview of key SSDT concepts and features, and then goes through demonstrations of various connected and disconnected scenarios.

Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Analysis Services: DAX Basics

• Jul 15, 2012
• In this chapter from Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Analysis Services: The BISM Tabular Model, learn about the syntax of DAX, its data types, and the available operators and functions.

Single-Table Queries in Microsoft SQL Server 2012

• Jul 15, 2012
• This chapter from Microsoft SQL Server 2012 T-SQL Fundamentals introduces you to the SELECT statement, logical query processing, and various other aspects of single-table queries.

Visual Models for Software Requirements: Selecting Models for a Project

• Jul 15, 2012
• This chapter from Visual Models for Software Requirements will help you select models for your project based on the project phase you are executing and the project characteristics. For each of these factors, we overlay the model categories to ensure that you consider all types of models.

Introducing Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Business Connectivity Services

• Jun 15, 2012
• This chapter from Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Business Connectivity Services introduces BCS, looks at its architecture and how it connects to the external system, and considers its security implications. This chapter also introduces the integration of BCS with Microsoft Office client applications and examines how you can use BCS features to build composite solutions and dashboard pages, making SharePoint and Office a simpler and more cost-effective platform to integrate with your business data.