Introduction

Overview

This training kit is designed for software developers who plan to take the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) Exam 70-442: Designing and Optimizing Data Access by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005. The primary objective of this exam is to certify that developers and database administrators know how to design efficient access to SQL Server 2005 databases. We assume that before you begin using this kit, you have spent at least three years doing database development work. We also assume that you have worked on multiple phases of a software development project, including design, development, deployment, and post-production/maintenance. The Preparation Guide for Exam 70-442 is available at the URL http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-442.mspx.

The labs in this training kit will use SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition. A 180-day evaluation edition is included on the companion DVD. If you do not have access to this software, you can download a 180-day trial of SQL Server 2005 through http://www.microsoft.com/sql/downloads/trial-software.mspx. You can also consider purchasing SQL Server 2005 Development Edition, which contains all required features.

By using this training kit, you will learn how to do the following:

• Design efficient access to a SQL Server service.

• Design a database query strategy.

• Design error-handling routines.

• Design a transaction strategy.

• Performance tune a database and a database application.