As Figure 2 shows, SQL Server Workbench combines all the functionality of Enterprise Manager and Query Analyzer into a single tool. The Registered Servers window in the upper-left corner lists the available SQL Server systems. Double-clicking a registered server connects you to that server and opens up the Object Explorer window, which you can see in the lower-left corner. Object Explorer lists all the database objects. Unlike Enterprise Manager, which insisted on enumerating all database objects when it opened up, SQL Server Workbench is much smarter and lists only the objects that you expand in the tree, making it much more responsive for databases with numerous objects. In the right pane, you can create and debug T-SQL queries.
Another significant Yukon enhancement is SQL Server Workbench's ability to script administrative actions. You can save these scripts and replay them to repeat administrative actions. SQL Server Workbench uses the new SQL Management Objects (SMO) API to manage Yukon. SMO replaces the COM-based SQL Distributed Management Objects (SQL-DMO) object model.
8. Dedicated Administrator Connection
Another new administrative feature in Yukon is the dedicated administrator connection, which provides access to SQL Server, regardless of the server's current workload. The dedicated administrator connection lets you access the server and kill any runaway processes. You use the new command-line tool Sqlcmd to access this new feature.
9. XML Integration
Yukon provides a new level of unified storage for XML and relational data. Yukon adds a new XML data type that provides support for both native XML queries and strong data typing by associating the XML data type to an XML Schema Definition (XSD). In addition, Yukon provides bidirectional mapping between relational data and XML data. The XML support is well integrated into the Yukon relational database engine, which provides support for triggers on XML data, support for replicating and bulk loading XML data, and enhanced support for data access through Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP).
The new XML data type is defined by using the new data type name of XML. You can use the XML data type as a column in a table or as a variable or parameter in a stored procedure. If the data stored in an XML column has no XSD schema, Yukon considers the data untyped. If an XML column has an associated XSD schema, Yukon checks the schema to make sure that the data stored in the column complies with the schema definition. In all cases, Yukon checks the data that's stored in the XML data type to ensure that the XML document is well formed before storing the document. The XML data type can accept a maximum of 2GB of data.
Another new XML-related feature in Yukon is XQuery Designer, a visual drag-and-drop design tool in SQL Server Workbench. Through XQuery Designer, you can use the XML Query Language (XQuery) to query XML documents stored in XML columns, standalone XML documents, and relational data.
10. Completely Rewritten DTS
In Yukon, Microsoft has rewritten Data Transformation Services (DTS) as managed .NET code. If you're a DTS expert, be prepared to relearn a completely new development tool. Yukon's DTS has a new object model and has been redesigned for better reliability and improved enterprise scalability. Internally, DTS has a new high-performance data pipeline. Yukon's DTS retains the ability to support any OLE DB–compatible database source and data sources other than SQL Server.
In addition to being revamped internally, DTS sports the new DTS Designer, which Figure 3 shows. Like the other Yukon tools, the DTS Designer runs inside SQL Server Workbench. To access the DTS Designer, you open a new SQL Server Workbench Project, select Data Transformation Project, and add a DTS Package to the project. The DTS Designer's View pane shows the available DTS tasks. To build a DTS package interactively, you first select the task, then select the desired Data Flow components from the Data Flow Items toolbox that appears. Microsoft has greatly increased the number of Data Flow components in Yukon. You use the connector arrows to connect the Data Flow components. After you design the DTS package, you can run and debug it with SQL Server Workbench's menu options.
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