QuickStart Tool
Microsoft SQL Server
By Steven Warren
Getting a good start in any new technology or programming language often depends on finding the best available information. The TechRepublic.com QuickStart Tools give you the information you need to quickly grasp the fundamentals of
developing in a new IDE, using a new programming language, or working with a new development tool.
Besides explaining the basics, the TechRepublic.com Microsoft SQL Server QuickStart Tool shows you common tasks,
exposes strengths and weaknesses, demonstrates some of the best uses of the technology, and lists a variety of other
online and offline resources that can help you build a solid foundation of practical knowledge.
©1995-2004 CNET Networks, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Microsoft SQL Server
Fundamentals ................................................................................................................3
Common tasks ..............................................................................................................3
Strengths ........................................................................................................................5
Weaknesses ..................................................................................................................5
Best uses ........................................................................................................................5
Online resources............................................................................................................6
Other resources ............................................................................................................6
Additional articles..........................................................................................................6
About TechRepublic.com..............................................................................................7
©1995-2004 CNET Networks, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Microsoft SQL Server
Fundamentals
Microsoft SQL Server is a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) that allows you to create, manage,
administer, and deploy databases. It has four main editions: Enterprise, Standard, Developer, and Personal. When you
install SQL Server on a Microsoft operating system (OS), the following services are created: MSSQLSERVER,
SQLSERVER AGENT, and Distributed Transaction Coordinator (DTC).
Once the installation is complete, SQL Server provides you with a set of administration tools. Enterprise Manager
gives you a graphical user interface (GUI) to work with, while Query Analyzer gives you the ability to run T-SQL queries.
SQL Profiler allows you to analyze data and queries in real time or from a flat file.
Common tasks
Task
Steps
Start, stop, and
pause SQL
Server
1.
2.
3.
4.
Click Start | Programs | Microsoft SQL Server | Service Manager.
Choose the name of your SQL Server in the Server dropdown.
Choose the Service you want to stop in the Services dropdown.
Click Stop, Pause, or Start/Continue.
Figure A
Registering a new
SQL Server
1.
2.
3.
4.
Click Start | Programs | Microsoft SQL Server | Enterprise Manager.
Right-click SQL Server Group and choose New SQL Server Registration.
Click Next and type the name of your SQL Server. Click Add and Next.
Choose the appropriate authentication mode: Windows Authentication or SQL Server
Authentication.
5. Click Next and Finish.
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Microsoft SQL Server
Run a query in
Query Analyzer
1. Click Start | Programs | Microsoft SQL Server | Query Analyzer.
2. Choose your Authentication type: Windows Authentication or SQL Server Authentication.
3. Type select @@version and click Go.
Figure B
Back up a database
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Click Start | Programs | Microsoft SQL Server | Enterprise Manager.
Right-click a database and choose All Tasks | Backup Database.
Click Add to add a destination where your backup will reside.
Click the ellipsis under Filename and type the name of your backup.
Click OK and Finish.
Figure C
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Microsoft SQL Server
Restore a database
1. Click Start | Programs | Microsoft SQL Server | Enterprise Manager.
2. Right-click a database and choose All Tasks | Restore Database.
3. Choose the backup you want to restore and click OK.
Strengths
Strengths Description
Popular
SQL Server is becoming increasingly popular as the database management system of choice. Its initial
ease of use for a new user makes it even more popular today.
Wizards
SQL Server has Wizards to help a novice DBA or an end user quickly perform every day tasks. Wizards
include: Create Database, Create Index, Create Login, Create Stored Procedures, Create View,
Indexing, DTS Exporting and Importing, Database Management (Backup/Restore), and Replication
Wizards.
Support
With the popularity of SQL Server growing as well as its market share, there are numerous support
resources. Examples include Web sites dedicated to SQL Server, the Microsoft MSDN Library, news
groups, and community bulletin boards.
Hot jobs
The DBA has been one of the hotter jobs over the last five years.
Weaknesses
Weakness
Description
Learning curve
Once the average user has outgrown the Wizards, there is a fairly steep learning curve when
implementing advanced functionality.
Expensive
Licensing SQL Server can be expensive, depending on the size of your company and the license
model you choose.
Best uses
E-commerce Web sites
SQL Server performs exceptionally well when managing data and transactions in an e-commerce Web site. Because it is
easy to use and tightly woven into other Microsoft technologies, it has become one of the best choices for a database
server operating with Internet Information Services (IIS). It is a true symbiotic relationship. Microsoft continues to work
hard to secure IIS in the Windows 2003 release and, with the next release of SQL Server (Yukon) coming around the
corner, the integration of SQL Server and IIS will become even closer.
Repository for data
If your company has a need for a database and is currently running a Microsoft-based network, SQL Server will likely
meet or exceed all of your needs. Whether you need a basic database or one that is very advanced, SQL Server can
handle your business needs without the overhead or learning curve required by other database systems, such as Oracle
or DB2.
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Microsoft SQL Server
Online resources
Microsoft SQL Server home page
Microsoft’s designated home Web site for the SQL Server.
The Database Journal
The online knowledge center for database professionals.
The Professional Association for SQL Server
This non-profit organization is dedicated to the advancement of SQL Server.
SQL Server Central
A community Web site that provides SQL Server articles, scripts, and forums to help your professional development as
a database administrator or user of SQL Server.
Other resources
Professional SQL Server Reporting Services
By Paul Turley, Todd Bryant, James Counihan, George McKee, and Dave DuVarney. Wrox, 2004, ISBN: 0764568787.
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Bible with CD-ROM
By Paul Nielsen. John Wiley & Sons, 2002, Book and CD-ROM edition, ISBN: 0764549359.
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Database Administrator’s Guidebook
By Carl H. Speshock. Prentice Hall PTR, 2001, Book and CD-ROM edition, ISBN: 0130614300.
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Administrator’s Pocket Consultant
By William R. Stanek. Microsoft Press, 2000, ISBN: 0735611297.
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Database Administrator’s Guidebook
By Carl H. Speshock. Prentice Hall PTR, 2001, ISBN: 0130614300.
Additional articles
Microsoft SQL Server Resource Guide
Perform a secure SQL Server installation
Step-By-Step: An introduction to SQL Server Profiler
TechRepublic Tutorial: Creating new databases in SQL Server 2000
Set up SQL Mail to send SQL Server alerts
Take advantage of the SQL Server 2000 security tools
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Microsoft SQL Server
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