What Is SQL Server 2005? As you most likely know, SQL Server 2005 is primarily thought of as a Relational DatabaseManagement System (RDBMS). It is certainly that, but it is also much more.

SQL Server 2005 can be more accurately described as an Enterprise Data Platform. It offers manynew features, and even more enhanced or improved features from previous editions of the prod-uct. In addition to traditional RDBMS duty, SQL Server 2005 also provides rich reporting capabili-ties, powerful data analysis, and data mining, as well as features that support asynchronous dataapplications, data-driven event notification, and more.

This book is primarily focused on the administration of the Database Engine. However, as men-tioned, SQL Server 2005 includes many more features than just the relational engine. In light ofthat, it is important to start with some point of common reference. This section introduces the fea-tures of SQL Server 2005. It is not meant to be all-inclusive, but it will provide the context for theremainder of the book.

Later chapters go into greater detail and delve into the technologies behind each feature and howthey affect you, the database administrator. SQL Server 2005 is such an enormous product that noone book could possibly cover every feature in detail, so some features will only be covered brieflyas an introduction, while the core administrative features will be described in greater detail.