This chapter introduces Microsoft SQL Server. It defines some of the key characteristics of SQL Server and explains the environments in which it has been designed to work. You will be introduced to the different parts of the product and be given some idea as to the role played by these parts. Most of the topics introduced in this chapter will be covered in detail later in this book. Databases are not introduced in this chapter; you will first read about databases in Chapter 3, "System Configuration and Architecture" after you have installed SQL Server.
To complete the lessons in this chapter you must have