Your essential guide to the important programming features in Microsoft® SQL Server® 2012 Extend your database programming skills with a comprehensive study of key features in SQL Server 2012. With this comprehensive guide, you'll delve into core capabilities, get practical guidance from expert developers, and put their code samples to work. This is a must-read for Microsoft .NET and SQL Server developers who work with data access-at the database, business logic, or presentation levels. Discover how to: Query complex data with powerful Transact-SQL enhancements Use non-relational features, such as hierarchical tables, native file streaming, and geospatial capabilities Exploit XML inside the database to design XML-aware applications Consume and deliver your data using Microsoft LINQ, Entity Framework, and data binding Implement database-level encryption and server auditing Build and maintain data warehouses Use Microsoft Excel® to build front ends for OLAP cubes, and MDX to query them Integrate data mining into applications quickly and effectively