Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft SQL Server is relational database and analytic system developed by Microsoft. Database server is a software product and its primary function is saving and displaying data, which other software applications require. Those can be executed on the same computer or on other computers across the network. Microsoft offers different editions, which are meant for different end-users from single-use applications to extensive applications connected to the internet, which have many users.
Microsoft SQL Server is relational database and analytic system developed by Microsoft. Database server is a software product and its primary function is saving and displaying data, which other software applications require. Those can be executed on the same computer or on other computers across the network. Microsoft offers different editions, which are meant for different end-users from single-use applications to extensive applications connected to the internet, which have many users.
Architecture
Protocol layer implements external interface on SQL server. All operations can be executed on SQL Server and they are sent on it through the Microsoft format, which is called Tabular Data System (TDS). TDS is the application layer protocol, which is used for data transfer between database server and client.
TDS was originally designed and developed by Sybase Inc. company for their relational database Sybase SQL Server in 1984 and then by Microsoft. TDS packages can be used in other physical transports of dependant protocols such as TCP/IP, i. e. named pipes or shared memory, therefore is the access for these protocols available to SQL Server. SQL Server API is also available through web services.
Storage of data
Data storage is a database, which is a table system with typed columns. SQL Server supports different data types including primitive types as is Integer, Float, Decimal or Char. Rounding the numbers of float data type can be set to symmetric arithmetic rounding or symmetric rounding down on the base of setting the arguments.
Microsoft SQL Server also enables combined types defined by user. There are also available server statistics in a form of virtual tables and views.
Database can contain:
- Tables
- Views
- Stored procedures
- Indices
- Integral constraints
- Transaction log
The advantages of using Microsoft SQL Server
- Great support of data recovery. Damaged data are always a risk in case of outage of electrical energy or incorrect shutdown. Microsoft SQL has built-in functionalities, which simplify data backup. Individual tables cannot be backed up and renewed, but we can renew whole databases with the help of file log, caching and backups.
- Many available tools. Microsoft SQL Server has useful tools, which fasten the development and simplify the error correction, as is e. g. SQL Server Profiler, SQL Server Management Studio, BI tools or Database Tuning advisor.
- Management of large amounts of data. Microsoft SQL Server allows operations with large amount of data e. g. with the help of bulk loading.
- Scalability. With correctly designed databases and correctly written queries it is possible to save and display data almost in random extent.
The disadvantages of using Microsoft SQL Server
- Limited compatibility. Microsoft SQL Server is designed so it would work on Windows servers. For many reasons, including license costs and security concerns, the developers often decide for the use of Unix tools. In that case, they cannot use Microsoft SQL Server. There can also happen to be problems with the compatibility of applications, which run on other platforms.
- Very Large Databases. Management of VLDB (Very Large Databases) requires demanding maintenance and preventive measures.
- Costs. Microsoft SQL Server is relatively expensive solution.
- Long installation. Microsoft SQL Server is being installed for a long time, although the installation alone is not disproportionately difficult.
- Difficult implementation of changes. Deployment of the changes to the existing database can be difficult.