MS SQL Server Express - Re-learn

Useful Links

• MS SQL Server Express 2005 Download
• Sample Database Download "NorthWind" from Microsoft... and a nicely done user blog on how to connect to the database using Management Studio and Visual Studio

I refer to the book Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005 Express in 24 Hours, By Alison Balter

Ch 1, 2. Introduction to SQL Server, Server Baiscs

System databases include Master, Model, MSDB, Resource, TempDB, and Distribution, they are part of the system.

Six versions of SQL Server 2005

• SQL Server 2005 Express Edition
• SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition
• SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition
• SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition
• SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition
• SQL Server 2005 Mobile Edition

SQL Server Management Studio Express

SQL Server Management Studio Express is the tool that you use to manage your SQL Server and its objects. Using this tool, you can create and work with databases, tables, stored procedures, indexes, and much more!

In short, before you can even start a ASP.NET database connection, I recommend you to do the following... (or else you are just a handicapped Visual Studio Programmer who do not know how to migrate your database.)

1. Install MS SQL Server Express 2005

2. Install MS SQL Server Management Studio Express

Ch 3. Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express

Databases Node

• Master Database - "database of all databases." It keeps track of logon accounts, linked servers, system configuration settings, and more.
• Model Database - Anything that you place in model is automatically propagated to all the databases that you create thereafter.
• MSDB Database - used by SQL Server, SQL Server Management Studio, and SQL Server Agent. All three of them use it to store data, including scheduling information and backup and restore history information.
• TempDB Database - system database that acts as a resource to all users working with a particular instance of SQL Server.

Security Node

• Logins - two types of icons : role access to the database / user access to the database.
• Server Roles - predefined roles, each Server Role possesses a pre-defined set of rights.
• Credentials - a credential is a record that contains the authentication information required for SQL Server to connect to an outside resource. Most credentials are made up of a Windows login and password.

Server Objects

• Backup Devices
• Linked Servers - work with other SQL Servers
• Server Triggers - DDL (Data Definition Language) triggers.

The Replication Node
Data replication is the capability of a system to make copies of its data and application objects automatically in remote locations.

Management

• SQL Server Logs
• Activity Monitor - get information about users' connections to the database engine and the locks that they hold.

The reset of the chapters are quite simple if you know Relational Database stuff... just need to play with the interface.

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