Microsoft SQL Server 2000 And T-SQL
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SQL Server is an RDBMS - or Relational Database management System. RDBMS is at its pinnacle of growth and is considered the most popular way for data storage. Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database management and analysis system for e-commerce, line-of-business, and data warehousing solutions.
SQL Server 2000, the latest version, is considered as the dot NET server and includes support for XML and HTTP, performance and availability features to partition load and ensure uptime and advanced management and tuning functionality to automate routine tasks and lower total cost of ownership.
Today we are going to take a look back in time and see how databases have evolved and concentrate more on SQL Server 2000 and what’s all about the most hyped .Net technology. {mospagebreak title=Refresher On What Is A Database And It’s Types}
Types of Database:Database is not just limited to computer based systems that we typically think about when we hear the term. A database is really a collection of any organized data. They fall into a number of categories:
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Paper Based: These, although not thought of as database, probably still make up a large part of database even today.
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Legacy Mainframe:Common to IBM mainframes using VSAM- virtual Storage Access Method. Don’t underestimate the number of legacy mainframes still out and their importance.
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Dbase & other File-Based Databases:They normally use separate file for each table, they include ISAM or Indexed Sequential Access Method example of ISAM that are still in use Dbase, FoxPro, Excel, Paradox. These systems had their heyday well before RDBMS.
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RDBMS System: These systems do more than just store and retrieve data, they actually enforce data integrity. Whereas VSAM and ISAM typically store data well, the database itself has more control over what goes in and out.
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Object-Oriented Database: This has been around for a while, but is gaining popularity recently. Instead of storing documents in tables, the document is stored as a single object. ODBMS systems often provide for object-oriented concepts like inheritance and encapsulation. Next part is about how RDBMS took its shape from the roots.
Evolution of Relational Database: Back in
1960’s E.F. Coddof IBM was the first to introduce the principles behind relational database structure and a Structured English Query language or SEQUEL (the name was shortened to SQL-Structured Query Language). The basic idea was to increase data integrity and decrease cost. Nothing really happened in
70’s though Oracle & Sybase were the first to create true relational database systems. In the
80’s American National Standards Institute (ANSI) came up with a specification for SQL & ANSI-SQL was born. Microsoft partnered with Sybase in 1980 to develop a version of SQL server, of all things OS/2. SQL Server migrated to Windows NT back in the late
90’swith version 4.5. The relationship ended with version 6.0. Form version 6.5 forward SQL was Microsoft product only. The version 7.0 was a great success and a complete rewrite of the product and first version available for windows 9x. Finally we reach today’s version - SQL Server 2000. Hang on folks let us learn more about
SQL SERVER 2000 and
.NET.
T-SQL is SQL Server’s own dialect for Structured Query Language, which means SQL Server, uses T-SQL command (like create, select, insert, update, delete ) for accessing data in the database. {mospagebreak title=Gentle Introduction To SQL Server 2000 And .NET}
About SQL Server 2000: SQL Server 2000 comes in with tons of added advantages than just the RDBMS. There are five different editions of SQL Server 2000 are CE, Personal, Desktop Engine, Standard, Developers and Enterprise. Which edition should one use? The answer is simple it depends…for each of the various editions has a particular market. SQL Server 2000 is a very robust relational database system. And as several different services & utilities such as SQL Server Agent, the distributed Transaction Control (DTC), SQL Server Profiler (for trouble shooting) and Enterprise Manager (EM). Other added functionality includes full-text search, English Query (EQ) which comes handy for even the most non-technical of users, you can ask questions in English & have them translated into a query. Analysis service comprises of OLAP, data warehousing and data mining. Additionally replication function allows data to be replicated to another SQL Server in another location thus reducing transfer traffic. DTs - Data Transformation Services has expanded enormously in SQL Server 2000 with great range of different functionality for data transformation. If you are new to programming don’t panic we will discuss in detail about all this. The CE Edition is extremely limited in its functionality. The Desktop edition consists only of the main RDBMS and no administrative tools like Query Analyzer or Enterprise Manager. The Personal Edition, it was created with sole purpose to provide more robust desktop database solutions than that provided with Access so that it could be used as a plug-in. The Standard Edition is the main stream SQL Server, this and Enterprise Edition and can be taught of as production server. While the Developers Edition is what main stream developer uses for developing & testing applications. For the Enterprise edition to run must have NT Enterprise, Win 2000-Advanced Server or Win 2000 Datacenter Server installed. It has support to multiprocessing, support for clustering (where two separate servers provide fail-over) and it also allows HTTP accesses to OLAP. So based on the task at hand one could decide which edition to buy. Next question will be hardware & OS requirements.
Hardware And OS Requirements: Basic requirements are, Pentium 166 or better, At least 64MB Memory, and 128 MB are recommended for Enterprise Edition. Between 95 MB to 270-MB hard disk space. Enterprise and Standard Edition run on Windows NT Server 4.0 or later. VGA vide in 800x600. Plus IE 5.0 or later. You have to decide which edition of SQL Server you need and follow the instructions for installing the same in your system.
Building Database Connected Systems:Let us take a look into architectural issues, there are very few answers in life, and what system architecture to use is one of them. There have been few models available over the years; today we group them based on how they handle their three basic services.
User Services: This usually involves aspects like designing User Interface (UI) so it’s all about presentation, formatting and field rules.
Business Services: This part handles the various business rules for e.g. you purchase something with your credit card, it is the business service which contacts your credit card company to validate your purchase. Finally
Data Services: This is where storage and retrieval of data takes place. And which is where SQL SERVER lies.
Next: Designing A Logical Database >>
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