Chapter 1. Relational Database Management Systems and SQL Server

From the beginning of human history, knowledge has meant power. The success or failure of individuals, companies, and countries depends on the amount and quality of knowledge they have about their environment.

Knowledge is based on facts. In some cases, facts are made of abstract data, difficult to represent in precise mathematical terms. However, the economic life of every company relies on precise data obtained from external and internal sources.

Knowledge management is based on the ability to use this absolute data to interpret reality and arrive at conclusions about how their environment reacts to specific conditions.

Data has value if it is accurate and comprehensive enough to serve business needs. However, the way the data is stored and the mechanisms available to retrieve it are important factors to consider. Database management systems provide reliable data storage systems and flexible data retrieval tools.

In this book, you learn how to develop database applications, using one of the latest and more powerful database management systems: Microsoft SQL Server 2000.

This chapter teaches you the main concepts of Microsoft SQL Server 2000:

• Basic concepts about relational database systems

• SQL Server architecture and server components

• SQL Server client tools

• How to protect your data in SQL Server

• Basic principles about client/server application design and how SQL Server fits in this model