SQL basics to Expert

Depends on whether you want to be excellent at TSQL dev or SQL Server management. Assuming dev track first then. The progression I have below should take you from zero to hero pretty quick. Once you have done all of this material you will be a 1%er. Will take you about 1-2years to do everything suggested here. Do the books that lead to 70-433 certification. I did the dev track recently 70-433 and learnt alot about TSQL especially the new additions. The Self Paced Training kits from MS are excellent starting points MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-433): Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 Database Development - http://www.amazon.com/MCTS-Self-Paced-Training-Exam-70-433/dp/0735626391 Then there is the excellent SQL Server Internals to understand whats happening under the covers. Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 Internals (Pro - Developer) - http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft%C2%AE-SQL-Server%C2%AE-2008-Internals/ Improving .NET Application Performance and Scalability - http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff649152.aspx especially Chapter 14 — Improving SQL Server Performance - http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff647793.aspx The book that really mad a difference for me a long time ago was this one. Not available anymore but superb - Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Performance Tuning Technical Reference - http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Server-Performance-Technical-Reference/dp/0735612706/ Read Paul Randells blog - phenomenal - http://sqlskills.com/blogs/paul/ Also get yourself a subscription to PluralSight, excellent material presented by good people. Well, there are various tutorials via MS (and a host of other places), there are quite a few samples in the online help as well… This page is archived but still has a list of pretty good links : http://archive.msdn.microsoft.com/SQLTutorials There is also a wide range of tutorials : http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms167593(v=sql.105).aspx (for example look at lesson 1 : http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms365325(v=sql.105).aspx ) If specifically with ASP.NET then there are some good tutorials and sample apps over at : http://www.asp.net/mvc