Creating a test environment

I just got my first job doing some DBA work (junior level) in a small company using SQL Server 2000.

I would like to make a copy of the production DB and use it for development of SP's, DTS packages and views.

What is the safest way for me to copy the entire production DB, to a new DB on the same server?

Should I create a new DB, and do a restore of the production backup?

Any help would be appreciated,
Thank you.restoring from a backup is probably the most common way.|||restoring from a backup is probably the most common way.

Should I restore to a 'new database' I create, or restore and just supply the name of 'development', for example...

Thanks for the reply|||Should I restore to a 'new database' I create, or restore and just supply the name of 'development', for example...

Thanks for the reply

you can try restoring the backup via Query Analyzer. Try consulting BOL for the syntax. Based on my experience it creates the database along with the devices. You can also specify that it move it's devices to a specific path.