Microsoft SQL Server 2000: A Guide to Enhancements and New Features

Microsoft SQL Server 2000: A Guide to Enhancements and New Features
by Rahul Sharma
Copyright 2002
Addison-Wesley

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The name of this book is a little misleading. Based on its name, you might think that this book is only of interest to those who have used SQL Server 6.5 or 7.0, and who are moving to SQL Server 2000. This is not really the case. Although the book does place a lot of focus on the new features of SQL Server 2000, the book is a good basic introduction to SQL Server 2000, even if you have never used SQL Server before.

Here's what the book covers:

• SQL Server 2000 Overview

• Enhancements and Changes to Existing Features

• XML Support in SQL Server 2000

• Engine Enhancements in SQL Server 2000

• DTS Enhancements

• Profiler and Index-Tuning Wizard Enhancements

• Replication Enhancements

• New Data Types

• User-Defined Functions

• Indexed Views

• Trigger Alternatives

• Meta Data Services Enhancements

• Tool Enhancements

• Backup and Recovery Enhancements

• Analysis Services Enhancements

• Distributed Partitioned Views

• T-SQL Debugger

• Cascading Declarative Referential Integrity

• Collation Enhancements

• SQL Distributed Management Objects

• Microsoft Desktop Engine

• Administration

• Debugging Database Performance Issues

• SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 1

• Oracle 9i vs. SQL Server 2000

• Migrating from Oracle 9i Databases to SQL Server 2000

• Administration and Utility Scripts

• SQL Server 2000 and .NET

As you can see from the topics covered in this book, all the key new SQL Server 2000 features are covered in depth. What I do like about this book is that whenever a new enhancement affects performance, the author brings it to your attention. In addition, the author has an entire chapter devoted to how to boost SQL Server performance.

If you are new to SQL Server 2000, but have a background in Oracle, the book provides two chapters that will help you better understand the differences between the two products. This is a topic that you don't find too often in SQL Server books.

Overall, the text is well written and accurate. I especially recommend this book to those who are moving to SQL Server 2000 for the first time, and desire a full understanding of what SQL Server 2000 has to offer.