What is SQL Server
SQL Server is a relational database management system, or RDBMS, developed and marketed by Microsoft.
SQL Server is based on SQL, a common programming language for communicating with relational databases, same like other RDBMS applications.
For over 20 years, SQL Server has only operated in the Windows environment. Microsoft made it available on Linux in 2016. In October 2016, the Windows and Linux-compatible SQL Server 2017 version became generally available.
Usage of SQL Server
The following are the key usage of MS SQL Server:
1. To build and maintain databases.
2. To analyze the data using SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS).
3. To generate reports using SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS).
4. To perform ETL operations using SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS).
SQL Server Editions
To accommodate user needs, SQL Server comes in five editions with various service and tool bundles and pricing choices.
Free Editions
SQL Server Developer: This edition was created primarily for testing and developing databases in non-production environments. It enables the building, testing, and demo of things.
Small-scale applications and databases with up to 10 GB of disc storage are used with SQL Server Express.
For commercial purpose
SQL Server Enterprise: High-end, more significant, and larger businesses employ it. This edition includes every feature of SQL Server, including cutting-edge security, sophisticated analytics, and machine learning.
SQL Server Standard: This edition is suitable for data marts and mid-tier applications that included basic reporting and analytics. It supports partial enterprise edition's feature, as well as server limitations on the number of processor cores and memory that we can configure.
SQL Server WEB: This edition is suitable for Web hosters who want a low overall ownership cost. It has features of scalability, manageability capabilities, and affordability for small to large-scale web properties.
