Microsoft SQL Server: Planning and Building a High Performance Database

Programmers, analysts, and database and systems administrators will discover the strategies that lead to a successful index, including structure, columns, keys, data types, and clustering; how to minimize network traffic with joins, batches, searches, and tables; the secrets of disk management and replication to optimize the database engine's design; the essentials of a successful testing environment; and planning strategies for an effective roll-out. The disk contains SQL Replay, a performance monitor designed specifically for Microsoft SQL. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Plan it right for optimum performance—from the ground up!

Make your database applications

* More productive
* More reliable
* Simpler to use

With Microsoft(r) SQL Server: Designing and Building a High Performance Database, you'll learn how to develop the blueprint for a Microsoft SQL Server database that will grow with your unique needs. Make the most of the Microsoft SQL Server by mastering the structural approach that gives you high performance from Day 1, and keep your system running at its best throughout its lifetime.

Efficient design—Some databases seem to grow almost organically, without any logical form. Learn to evaluate your requirements and create a customized structure that will handle the way you really use your database. Master the three forms of normalization and when to use them. Discover the strategies that lead to a successful index, including structure, columns, keys, data types, and clustering. Unlock the power of the Microsoft SQL Server optimizer to get the highest degree of performance.

Effective access—Users judge a database by what it can do for them. When you understand the power of stored procedures and triggers, you'll be able to make transactions quick and easy for users at all levels, as well as simplifying many programming tasks. You'll also learn how to assess your network's capabilities to minimize traffic and improve distribution by taking advantage of Microsoft SQL Server's facility with joins, batches, searches, and tables. Get insider's tips on powerful features including transactions, cursors, and concurrency.

Ongoing performance tuning—Data always grows faster than the storage and hardware that accommodate it. Using Microsoft SQL Server's monitoring tools, you can find and fix problem areas before they become a drag on performance. Master the secrets of disk management and replication to optimize your database engine's capacity.

Testing for success—When you're ready to put your new plans to work, you'll need accurate feedback before you implement change. Learn the essentials of a successful testing environment, and the planning strategies for an effective roll-out of your innovations.

Learn from experience—Five detailed case studies show how a range of organizations have used Microsoft SQL Server to maximize their database power. You may recognize situations you have already faced, and see the experts' solutions.

Microsoft SQL Server: Designing and Building a High Performance Database is packed with experience and tips, but it's not just for application developers. Database administrators, systems analysts, and system administrators can all learn the basics of Microsoft SQL Server applications, without having to master all the intricacies of the Microsoft SQL Server engine.

Microsoft SQL Server: Designing and Building a High Performance Database also includes a free disk containing SQL Replay, a performance monitor designed specifically for Microsoft SQL Server. Use it to analyze processes, measure user activity, uncover bottlenecks, isolate locked tables, and benchmark overall server activity.

For Microsoft SQL Server version 6.0 and newer.