Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2008 All-In-One Desk Reference For Dummies®

I.2.2. Understanding Key SQL Server 2008 Concepts

The relational database marketplace has been mature for several years. Established vendors now seek to differentiate themselves on price, functionality, and the degree to which their products integrate with other information-processing technologies. From a holistic, one-stop shop viewpoint, Microsoft offers one of the best and most compelling solutions on the market. SQL Server is part of a larger Microsoft philosophy best described as, "Your data: Any place, any time."

Microsoft's information access strategy includes SQL Server, along with these other products:

• .NET

• Visual Studio

• BizTalk Server

• Office

Technologies designed to work well with each other is what makes this product suite so appealing. In addition to this collaborative philosophy, Microsoft has also baked several key characteristics into SQL Server. Each of these attributes aims at making the jobs of the database designer, developer, and administrator easier. Here's a look at each of these in more detail.

I.2.2.1. Reliability

When a relational database is the core foundation of a solution, it's essential that users and administrators alike can count on the database server to be running, and any information entrusted to its care to be safely stored and retrieved. SQL Server offers a collection of features aimed at increasing the confidence of its users and managers. These range from highly configurable, efficient mirroring to technology that prevents runaway queries and ...