Exploring Microsoft SQL Server 2008:

This course looks at many of the new features within Microsoft SQL Server 2008 and will give you a first look at Microsoft’s new powerful database server. You will learn about new T-SQL data types and syntax enhancements, see how to store and manipulate unstructured data, and learn about the SQL CLR and new advances in client data access. You’ll also take a first look at the new Visual Studio Team System Edition 2008 for Database Professional, and check out the new and improved administrative features in PowerShell, security, Full-Text search, and many more..

In this course, you will learn how to:

• Use the new features in Management Studio for administering a database, creating objects, and writing and debugging code.
• Apply what's new in Integration Services, Reporting Services, Service Broker and Analysis Services.
• Install or upgrade from an earlier version of SQL Server.
• Use the new data types, including spatial data and heirarchyID.
• Apply Sparse columns and column sets to effect databases size.
• Exploit Table-valued parameters.
• Use Grouping sets to streamline complex GROUP BY clauses.
• Utilize the MERGE statement to perform multiple operations in a single statement.
• Make use of enhancements to SQLCLR code.
• Utilize Visual Studio 2008 Team System for Database Professionals, or Data Dude, to build database projects.
• Operate newly integrated Full-Text Search.

Contents:

Introduction to SQL Server 2008

• Overview
• New Features Across the Server
• Deprecated and Discontinued Features
• SQL Server 2008 Feature Pack
• Installing SQL Server 2008

T-SQL Enhancements

• New T-SQL Data Types
• T-SQL Syntax
• Sparse Columns and Column Sets
• Table-Valued Parameters
• Grouping Sets
• MERGE Statement
• Storing and Manipulating Unstructured Data

Programmability

• SQL CLR
• Client Data Access
• Client Programming
• Occasionally Connected Applications
• Team System Edition for Database Professionals

Administrator Features for Developers

• Indexed Search Across Rich Data Types
• Integrated FullText Search
• PowerShell
• Security
• Others