Beginning SQL Server™ 2005 Administration

Chapter 1. Introducing SQL Server 2005

To help you become familiar with SQL Server 2005, this chapter focuses on the key ingredients of the software. This chapter also outlines differences between different editions of the software before diving into particulars on the topics of architecture, database objects, databases, database storage, and server security. The chapter concludes with a brief look at the historical evolution of SQL Server.

What Is SQL Server 2005?

As you most likely know, SQL Server 2005 is primarily thought of as a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS). It is certainly that, but it is also much more.

SQL Server 2005 can be more accurately described as an Enterprise Data Platform. It offers many new features, and even more enhanced or improved features from previous editions of the product. In addition to traditional RDBMS duty, SQL Server 2005 also provides rich reporting capabilities, powerful data analysis, and data mining, as well as features that support asynchronous data applications, data-driven event notification, and more.

This book is primarily focused on the administration of the Database Engine. However, as mentioned, SQL Server 2005 includes many more features than just the relational engine. In light of that, it is important to start with some point of common reference. This section introduces the features of SQL Server 2005. It is not meant to be all-inclusive, but it will provide the context for the remainder of the book.

Later chapters go into ...