What is SQL Server?

Databases power many applications. From web and mobile apps to containers and massive enterprise platforms, it's nearly impossible to run an entire application or service and not have it use a database. Of the databases in use, the relational database still dominates the landscape. While big data tends to rely heavily on NoSQL-type databases, most server-side applications (such as WordPress, Nextcloud, Joomla, and Drupal) rely on the relational database.

When you think about relational databases at this level, there are a few main competitors: MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server. For many companies, SQL Server is the most logical option. Why? Because it's not just developed by Microsoft, it integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft platforms. Therefore, any company that primarily uses Windows Server will certainly look at Microsoft's offering first. And although SQL Server is not the most used database in companies (coming in third behind MySQL and PostgreSQL ), it is still widely used around the world.

This means that there is a good chance that your company will, at some point, employ SQL Server.

What is SQL Server?

As we have already said, SQL Server is a relational database, created and maintained by Microsoft. SQL Server can be installed and used on Windows, Linux and macOS, so it is not limited to the Microsoft operating system. SQL Server is designed for a wide variety of applications, from single-machine applications to solutions that span entire clusters.

Of course, SQL Server is more than just a relational database. In fact, this tool is considered an RDBMS, or Relational Database Management System. This means that SQL Server includes all the tools needed to create and manage relational databases. And, as the name implies, SQL Server uses the SQL query language (like most popular relational database platforms). Unlike most open source RDBMS, SQL Server is intrinsically linked to Transact-SQL, which is Microsoft's implementation of SQL that includes a set of proprietary programming constructs.

SQL Server can be divided into the following parts:

• External Protocols – which includes shared memory, named pipes, TCP/IP, and virtual interface adapters.
• Database engine – which includes database, type system, events/exceptions, T-SQL, stored procedures, and SQLCLR.
• Storage engine – which includes transactional services, file manager, buffer manager and lock manager.
• Query processor – which includes Parser, Optimizer, SQL Manager, Database Manager and Query Executor.
• SQLOS API – which includes Lock Manager, Synchronization Services, Thread Scheduler and Buffer Pool.

There are several editions of SQL Server available:

• Enterprise – focused on cutting-edge datacenter capacity with unlimited virtualization and end-to-end business intelligence.
• Standard – for basic data management and business intelligence databases for departments and small organizations.
• Network – low cost of ownership edition for web hosters and web VAPs.
• Developer Edition – intended for database development and testing.
• SQL Server Expression – for small databases up to 10 GB of disk storage capacity.

Why use SQL Server?

This is a challenging question, especially since there are free offerings that are not only more popular but also more capable than Microsoft's SQL Server in many situations. That doesn't mean you shouldn't consider it, especially when SQL Server includes features like:

• High performance (especially when running on Windows)
• High Availability
• Scalability
• Comprehensive application development
• Ease of management
• open code
• Seamless integration with other Windows services
• Intelligent query processing
• Accelerated database recovery
• AlwaysEncrypted with secure enclaves
• Optimized for memory
• Recoverable index creation
• Can be used in Big Data clusters
• Recoverable online index creation
• Always-on availability groups

Another standout feature is only available for SQL Server on Linux. It's machine learning integration. Considering how many companies are adopting this subset of AI, this could be a crucial feature for your company moving forward.

Another very important reason to use SQL Server is that most IT staff are already familiar with Windows. Unlike using, say, MySQL, MariaDB, or PostgreSQL (where your administrators might have to learn Linux first), SQL Server adapts perfectly to Windows. This means that the barriers to entry are considerably lower than what you might find in other databases.

What you need to know to use SQL Server

To get the most out of SQL Server, you first need to understand how relational databases work. And using a database at this level is way beyond MS Access.

Although there are many GUI-based administrative tools for SQL Server, most of your work will be through the command line interface (CLI). This means that the team that will work with SQL Server must know the SQL query language. And even though SQL Server doesn't require knowledge of any programming language, SQL should be considered a must-have skill for any SQL Server database administrator.

Your SQL Server database administrators must also know different SQL dialects and basic SQL syntax. With at least a basic understanding of SQL, your administrators will be able to perform tasks such as:

• Creation of databases and tables.
• Modifying database tables and index structures.
• Adding, updating and deleting table data.
• Retrieving data from a database for transaction processing and analysis.

Additionally, these team members must have a solid understanding of how SQL Server databases can be used and integrated with various types of applications and services.

The best way for your administrators to learn SQL Server is to download and install the free developer edition. Once installed, they will want to learn how to create and modify databases and eventually learn more complex tasks.

Conclusion

SQL Server is a long-time favorite for businesses around the world. When your business finally reaches the point where data equals success, consider starting with this excellent database server. And while the cost may seem prohibitive, remember that it comes with world-class support. So when your administrators run into problems and can't find the solution online, they can always turn to Microsoft for the answer.