Part 2. Database Development

Edited by Adam Machanic

It can be argued that database development, as an engineering discipline, was born along with the relational model in 1970. It has been almost 40 years (as I write these words), yet the field continues to grow and evolve—seemingly at a faster rate every year. This tremendous growth can easily be seen in the many facets of the Microsoft database platform. SQL Server is no longer just a simple SQL database system; it has become an application platform, a vehicle for the creation of complex and multifaceted data solutions.

Today’s database developer is expected to understand not only the Transact-SQL dialect spoken by SQL Server, but also the intricacies of the many components that must be controlled in order to make the database system do their bidding. This variety can be seen in the many topics discussed in the pages ahead: indexing, full-text search, SQL CLR integration, XML, external interfaces such as ADO.NET, and even mobile device development are all subjects within the realm of database development.