Developing High-Performance SQL Server^® Databases: Hands-On

What is this course about?

In this course you learn to use the tools and techniques you need to achieve high-performance databases. You take away with you a detailed knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server's storage engine, query optimizer and lock manager.

Who will benefit from this course?

This course is designed for people whose work involves or will involve the development of SQL Server data-bases. Typical participants include:

• Programmers, application designers, developers and systems analysts who design and implement Microsoft SQL Server databases
• Database designers who need to know how to prevent performance problems on the SQL Server platform
• Database administrators who need to know how to improve the performance of the databases for which they are responsible
• Those who have worked extensively with some other database management systems and want specific coverage of Microsoft SQL Server internals

What background knowledge do I need?

You should have a solid background in SQL. Knowledge of SQL at the level of Course 532: SQL Server Transact-SQL^® Programming: Hands-On, is assumed.

An understanding of logical database design principles is helpful. Course 382: Relational Database Design, Tools and Techniques: Hands-On, offers that knowledge.

If Course 534: Developing SQL Queries for SQL Server^®: Hands-On, is your only exposure to Transact-SQL, you may find some parts of this course difficult, particularly those dealing with data maintenance and procedural programming. That is why we recommend that you take Course 532 first, or have equivalent knowledge or experience.

Is this course for administrators or developers?

Both database administrators with database design responsibility and developers who write SQL statements benefit from this course.

Which versions of SQL Server are covered?

This course covers both SQL Server 2008 and 2005. The similarities between 2008 and 2005 are strong enough that if you have not yet upgraded to SQL Server 2008, approximately 90 percent of the course material is still applicable. If you are already working with SQL Server 2008, you will benefit from the instructor's demonstrations of important new 2008 features.

I have already attended Course 532 and/or 534. They covered performance. What extra benefit will this course give me?

Courses 532 and 534 do contain some performance tuning content. However, this course provides the thorough grounding in SQL Server internals that you need in order to design and implement high-performance databases. Course 535 provides detailed information about how the query optimizer works and allows you to apply this knowledge to the design of your queries. In addition, it covers physical database design, the storage engine and storage structures, and memory management.

What platform is used for the hands-on exercises?

This course uses Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 running on Windows Server 2008.

We develop client applications with ADO and SQL Server. Will this course help us optimize our client code?

No. This course focuses on server-side techniques only.

Does this course cover logical database design?

No. This course assumes that you have knowledge of logical database design. In this course, you start with the logical design and transform it into a physical design. Course 382 covers logical database design and is an excellent predecessor to this course.

I am a Windows systems administrator with responsibility for overall SQL Server administration. Is this course useful for me?

No. This course does not cover administrative tasks such as backup and recovery and security management. You might want to consider Course 138: SQL Server^® 2008 Database Administration: Hands-On.

How much time is spent on each topic?

What kinds of hands-on exercises are included?

Approximately 40% of class time is devoted to hands-on exercises. In this class, you analyze and repair a variety of performance problems. The hands-on exercises include selecting the right tool for monitoring, analyzing query optimizer plans, designing physical data structures, creating indexes for different query types, improving performance with indexed views, using rollup tables, and managing statistics.

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

The SQL Server courses you take vary depending on the role you play in your organisation. Please refer to the SQL Server 2008 Curriculum Q&A for details on which courses are most appropriate to your role and the order in which you should take them.

• 382: Relational Database Design, Tools and Techniques: Hands-On 
• 137: SQL Server® 2008: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction 
• 138: SQL Server® 2008 Database Administration: Hands-On 
• 532: SQL Server Transact-SQL® Programming: Hands-On 
• 534: Developing SQL Queries for SQL Server®: Hands-On 

US Dates