Introduction

This chapter serves two main purposes. The first purpose is to provide a bird's-eye view of Microsoft SQL Server 2000, the various programs installed with the product, and the basic concepts you should know before continuing in the book. The second is to provide an overview of relational databases and more specifically the handling of these databases by SQL Server 2000. Use this chapter to begin your preparation for passing the 70-229 exam; right from the start you will be gaining valuable tips through exam alerts. You must gain a complete understanding of SQL Server and its components, which of course include the databases and other objects of the database system.

Since the initial release of SQL Server, the product has come a long way in the handling of data systems both large and small. The product that was once considered sluggish and capable of handling only small to medium-sized systems is now among the leading products for database systems of any size. SQL Server's performance is on a par with, if not exceeding, that of all of its competitors. It is easy to see why it is being adopted more readily than any other data management product.