Chapter 3. What s New in SQL Server 2000

Chapter 3. What's New in SQL Server 2000

by Ray Rankins

IN THIS CHAPTER

• New SQL Server 2000 Features

• SQL Server 2000 Enhancements

• SQL Server 2000 and the .NET Framework

The upgrade from SQL Server 6.5 to 7.0 was pretty significant. In addition to many new features, the underlying SQL Server architecture changed considerably. The upgrade from SQL Server 7.0 to 2000 is more of a series of enhancements, additions, and improvements. The architectural differences between the two are minimal. As a matter of fact, a database on a 7.0 SQL Server can be migrated over to SQL Server 2000 via a simple dump and restore.

On the .NET Framework front, SQL Server 2000 is at the heart of this whole new architecture movement. This book will provide a brief description of the .NET Framework and how SQL Server 2000 fits into this architectural picture. In addition, the ADO.NET (new programming data interface layer) will be outlined with working SQL Server 2000 examples.

This chapter explores the new features provided in SQL Server 2000 as well as many of the enhancements to previously available features.