Organized into several parts that comprise the various jobs and tasks the DBA performs, each chapter of this book is presented with the goal of providing knowledge and "know-how" to Database Administrators of a SQL Server database. The chapters also offer real-world insight and experience by passing on tips, tricks, and suggestions.

This new edition of the bestselling guide to a critical SQL server task teaches tools, techniques, and best practices readers can use to tune SQL Server 2000's configuration and operation, and learn how to enhance performance through good physical design, effective internal storage structures, and controlling SQL Server's new query optimizer.

CD-ROM contains: presentation slides for chapters in text; review questions from text; instructions on performing tasks in SQL server; script files for chapters in text.

Included on two CD-ROMs are a 120 day evaluation copy of Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition, a searchable electronic copy of the book, sample scripts, white papers and articles and tools and utilities.

This book is written for SQL Server 2008. However, it does maintain roots going back a few versions and looks out for backward compatibility issues with SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2000. These versions are old enough that there is little to no time spent on them except in passing. The book is oriented around developing on SQL server. Most of the concepts are agnostic to what client language you use although the examples that leverage a client language general do so in C#. For those who are migrating from early versions of SQL Server, some “gotchas” that exist any time a product has versions are discussed to the extent that they seem to be a genuinely relevant issue. This book assumes that you have some experience with SQL Server and are at an intermediate to advanced level. The orientation of the book is highly developer focused. While there is a quick reference-oriented appendix, there is very little coverage given to beginner level topics. It is assumed that you already have experience with data manipulation language (DML) statements and know the basics of the mainstream SQL Server objects (views, stored procedures, user defined functions, etc.). If you would like to brush up on your knowledge before diving into this book, the author recommends reading Beginning SQL Server 2008 Programming first. There is very little overlap between the Beginning and Professional books and they are designed to work as a pair.

Demonstrates the SQL Server 2000 programming fundamentals, including database structures and TransactSQL.

For repairing performance loss or maximizing current potential, this guide aims to provide the information and conceptual framework that will enable readers to be performance experts. Includes information on processor performance, application profiling and hardware considerations.