Introduction to SQL Server 2005

Hello!!!


Microsoft SQL Server 2005 is a database management system developed by Microsoft Corporation, for managing data.

The sentence above makes a naive reader feels that this software is another DBMS, developed by a better organization. But hold on!!! This DBMS is no odd software. The list of features shipped with this DBMS can help many administrators maintain and manage their production data in a structured manner.


My Liking towards SQL Server:

1. Implementation of Codd Rules:

- Microsoft's SQL Server obeys almost all the 12 Codd rules for RDBMS.
- And I have liked the implementation of Rule 4 (Dynamic Online Catalog Based on the Relational Model). 'Information_Schema' Schema, that contains views that opens up the entire database to the administrators and the users. This is the easiest and the most convenient way of fetching database details. I have worked around on different DBMSs like (Oracle 11g, MYSQL Server). But found Microsoft's style to be the most pragmatic and easy to master.

2.SQL Server Management Studio

SQL Server Management Studio is the GUI tool used for operating SQL Server 2005. An excellent software that instills great impression on the end users, when used. SSMS provides a professional approach of managing database objects and performing administration operation(s).

Key Features in SQL Server 2005:

1. Database Mirroring

Database Mirroring is the feature that makes the production database available at all times. This the most yearned feature since the inception of Databases in this world. SQL Server 2005 provides excellent options for implementing Database Mirroring,

2. Data Partitioning

A benchmark feature that utilizes multiple storage devices for storing data based on some bifurcating condition. Due to this, data archiving, data backup and brisk data read is made possible. And also the user is provided with an option of going either for horizontal or vertical partitioning.

3. Web Services

A standard protocol (HTTP , SOAP) can utilized to open the data to different applications.

4. Dedicated Administrator Connection(DAC)

When the user workstation runs out of memory, the administrator can still connect to the SQL Server instance by using the feature called DAC.

5. Online Database Restore / Online Indexing

Features like online database restore and online indexing helps administrators to hide the changes, that are made to the production databases, from the end users.


If I continue writing about all the features and their advantages, then Google will enjoin me from using Google Blogs.

But the usage of each and every feature will be posted later. My coming posts will describe and teach the readers the steps to perform several database administration activities.

But till then, take care

With Regards,
Akshay Sahu
(Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: SQL Server 2005)