Chapter 1: Introducing Transact-SQL and Data Management Systems

Overview

Welcome to the world of Transact-Structured Query Language programming. Transact-SQL, or T-SQL, is Microsoft Corporation's implementation of the Structured Query Language, which was designed to retrieve, manipulate, and add data to Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS). Hopefully, you already have a basic idea of what SQL is used for because you purchased this book, but you may not have a good understanding of the concepts behind relational databases and the purpose of SQL. This first chapter introduces you to some of the fundamentals of the design and architecture of relational databases and presents a brief description of SQL as a language. If you are brand new to SQL and database technologies, this chapter will provide a foundation to help ensure the rest of the book is as effective as possible. If you are already comfortable with the concepts of relational databases and Microsoft's implementation, specifically, you may want to skip on ahead to Chapter 2, "SQL Server Fundamentals," or Chapter 3, "Tools for Accessing SQL Server." Both of these chapters introduce some of the features and tools in SQL Server 2000 as well as the new features and tools coming with SQL Server 2005.

Note

Another great, more in-depth source for SQL 2000 and SQL 2005 programming from the application developer's perspective are the Wrox Press books authored by Rob Viera: Professional SQL Server 2000 Programming, Beginning SQL Server 2005 Programming, and Professional SQL Server 2005 Programming. Throughout the chapters ahead, I will refer back to both the basic concepts introduced in this chapter and to areas in the books mentioned here for further clarification in the use or nature of the Transact-SQL language.