SQL Server Best Practices

Along the lines of our SQL Server set of posts, I came across a really interesting web site:  SQL Server Best Practices.  It contains all sorts of material on best practices with SQL Server 2005.

"But Don, what if we're not using SQL Server 2005?"  Ouch.  Mainstream support for SQL Server 2000 ends on April 8th of 2008.  if you are not currently using SQL Server 2005 then I think your first order of business is getting on to SQL Server 2005.  Don't worry about trying to take advantage of all of the SQL Server 2005 features, just get off of the older software!!!!

OK, now that you've come back from those links and have some awesome ideas on how to take advantage of SQL Server 2005, talk to your DBA.  Please don't automatically assume that everything you read on these pages will be available to you or your project.  Don't assume that all of the whiz bang features have been turned on.  Don't assume that you are familiar enough with the feature to understand the impact it will have in our organization.  Don't assume that just because you read it somewhere and that it made a lot of sense that it actually makes a lot of sense for your application.

Talk to your DBA.  If they don't know about this particular gem that you found on page 764 of a book printed in Greek and found on a Russian web site with the slogan "Punish Microsoft", give them the information and let them research.  As they are more familiar with the base tool than most people they will be able to evaluate your request with a keen eye towards keeping the systems up and running and reducing the effort to do so. 

Once again, talk to your DBA.  And remember, do this before you've written a lot of code as your information may make some radical changes to your database or how you access it.  Proactive interaction with the DBA, an awesome thing to behold.