Beginning Transact-SQL with SQL Server 2000 and 2005

Foreword

Data has been an integral part of business for decades. But the advent of the Internet, the increasing rate of innovation in technology, and the emergence of corporate governance has placed data center stage in the new Millennium. The Internet opened a new window to the world. It broke down barriers and dissolved national and geographic boundaries. As people established ways to leverage the Internet for business, companies found themselves competing in a new arena. Enterprises realized that they no longer had a corner on the market “in their area.” The Internet did away with areas and dissolved the advantage of location for many sectors of the economy. A customer could easily reach across the world to a competitor with the click of a hyperlink. This phenomenon catapulted business into a new generation of fierce competition: Competition ripe with the need for competitive advantage over rivals. Out of this, data emerged as the new golden asset within corporations. What companies know about their customers, vendors, supply chain, operations, and markets is often the single most advantageous factor they can bring to bear as they strive for success over their competitors.

Unfortunately, it came to light recently that others were willing to go beyond the rules in their effort to win out over their competition. Scandals made front page news, investors demanded change, and governments responded with legislation. These new bills and regulations have intensified the spotlight on ...