Introduction
Microsoft SQL Server 8.00, also known as SQL Server 2000, was released in 2000 and marked a significant milestone in the development of Microsoft's relational database management system. It introduced many new features and enhancements that improved performance, scalability, and reliability, providing a whole new experience for database administrators and end-users alike. This article will examine some of the key features of MS SQL Server 8.00 and its impact on the database industry.
Improved Performance and Scalability
Enhanced Query Processor
MS SQL Server 8.00 came with an enhanced query processor that improved the performance of ad-hoc queries and complex queries. The query optimizer was redesigned to support improved cost-based query optimization and seamless integration with data warehousing tools. This increased the scalability of SQL Server by allowing users to process large amounts of data more efficiently.
SELECT * FROM customers WHERE age > 30;The enhanced query processor in MS SQL Server 8.00 optimized complex queries more efficiently, allowing large amounts of data to be processed much faster than before.
Data Transformation Services
SQL Server 2000 introduced Data Transformation Services (DTS), a tool that allowed data to be consolidated from various sources and transformed into a format that could be used by SQL Server. The DTS package designer provided a graphical interface that simplified the process of designing workflows for data migration and transformation. This made it easier for database administrators to integrate data from various sources and load it into SQL Server.
EXEC sp_addlinkedserver 'ExcelSource',
'Jet 4.0',
'Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0',
'C:\Data\Customers.xls',
NULL,
'Excel 5.0'
SELECT *
FROM ExcelSource...[Customers$];
Data Transformation Services in MS SQL Server 8.00 facilitated the process of consolidating and transforming data from various sources, improving database administrators' productivity.
Advanced Reliability and Recovery
Log Shipping
SQL Server 2000 introduced log shipping, a feature that allowed administrators to automatically send transaction log backups from a primary database server to one or more standby servers. This enhanced disaster recovery by providing a copy of the database in real-time, reducing the risk of data loss in case of hardware failure or other disasters.
EXEC sp_add_log_shipping_primary_database
@database = 'AdventureWorks',
@backup_directory = '\\PrimaryServer\Backup',
@backup_share = 'BackupShare',
@backup_job_name = 'AdventureWorks Backup'
GO
The log shipping feature in MS SQL Server 8.00 provided automatic backup and real-time copy of databases, reducing the risk of data loss in case of disasters.
Database Mirroring
Database mirroring was another new feature introduced in SQL Server 2000. It allowed an exact copy of the database to be maintained on a separate server, improving availability and reliability. This also provided a way for administrators to perform maintenance tasks without taking the database offline.
ALTER DATABASE AdventureWorks
SET PARTNER = 'TCP://MirrorServer:5022';
Database mirroring in MS SQL Server 8.00 provided improved availability and reliability, reducing downtime and making maintenance tasks easier to perform.
Conclusion
MS SQL Server 8.00 marked a major upgrade of Microsoft's relational database management system. Its enhanced performance, scalability, reliability, and ease of use made it a popular choice for enterprise-level database management. The new features and enhancements introduced in SQL Server 2000 set the stage for future versions, establishing it as a dominant player in the database industry.