Datasheet

Meanwhile, the developers on the SQL Server team were beginning work on a new database system

code-named “Sphinx.” The Sybase code-base was rewritten almost from scratch for Sphinx, and only a

handful of code remained to indicate SQL Server’s humble beginnings in OS/2.

In December of 1998, Sphinx was officially released as SQL Server 7.0. The changes from SQL Server 6.5

were readily apparent from the first second a database administrator launched the new Enterprise

Manager. Finally, there was a robust and reliable database system that was easy to manage, easy to learn,

and still powerful enough for many businesses.

As SQL Server 7.0 was being released, the next version was already in development. It was code-named

“Shiloh.” Shiloh became SQL Server 2000 and was released in August of 2000. The changes to the under-

lying data engine were minimal, but many exciting changes that affected SQL Server’s scalability issues

were added (such as indexed views and federated database servers), along with improvements like cas-

cading referential integrity. Microsoft’s enterprise database server was finally a true contender in the

marketplace.

Back at Microsoft, the SQL team was working on an even more powerful and exciting release code-

named “Yukon,” which is now SQL Server 2005. After more than five years in development, a product

that some were calling “Yukon the giant (Oracle) killer” was finally released. It is indeed a very signifi-

cant release, and only time will tell how successful Microsoft is with it.

So, now, without further delay, the remainder of this book will be dedicated to introducing you to this

very exciting and capable database management system.

Summary

This chapter introduced the basic structure and purpose of SQL Server 2005, along with a brief explana-

tion of the various features available in this release of Microsoft’s database application. Subsequent

chapters delve into the technologies and features exposed in this chapter so that the database adminis-

trator can better understand and implement each feature introduced.

In Chapter 2, you learn how to plan and perform a SQL Server 2005 installation. Included in the discus-

sions are prerequisite hardware and software configurations, as well as service and security considera-

tions. A thorough installation plan will always reap enormous benefits when it comes to post-installation

modifications. Understanding what to install (and how to install it) is invaluable.

Chapter 1

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