Thanks to the continued usability enhancements of SQL Server, creating your physical database is the easiest part of getting started with your database solution.. SQL Server 2000 offers both graphical wizards and T-SQL statements that can be used to specify and create your database configuration. In the following sections, we step through each of these methods and examine the available options for defining new databases.

Before you can begin creating the actual database in SQL Server, you should have completed the following steps.

1. Identify your logical database model, including entities and projected read/write activity. This information allows you to define your physical disk configuration for optimal performance and reliability.
2. Calculate your initial database size and growth model. These numbers will allow you to set up your initial database and autogrow properties.
3. Define your database filegroups and files for physically storing your database information. After you have configured your initial database, you can configure the additional filegroups, data files, and log files for locating data across your physical disk systems.