What is Microsoft SQL server? 10 points please help?

Question

Hi I have a small buisness and have chosen a basic server for it. I want to use my server to store and share database files between a small number of employees computers.
I have been told to purchase Microsoft SQL. What exactly is this?
Do I need to buy database software on top of this, if so which would be the best?
10 points please help!!! :-(

Answer 1

Actually, you don't need to consider purchasing MS SQL Server (or any database system) until AFTER you decide on the software package you will be using with the database. Let's say it's some inventory control software that you will be purchasing...it may not work with MS SQL Server (I won't got into why here...) or there may exist free software (mySQL) that would be sufficient for the inventory control software.



MS SQL Server is a relational database management system. Trying for a simple explanation here: Like any number of modern relational database management systems... It will manage the storage integrity of your data (atomicity, consistency, isolation and durability). It will enforce business constraints on your data and create enforceable relationships (e.g...every employee must belong to a department.) Through proper tuning and index creation you will able to retrieve your data faster than through nearly any other method of data storage. Through proper creation of tables, duplicity of data will be reduced or eliminated.



Think of it as a really sophisticated electronic filing cabinet. But at this point, the filing cabinet you need isn't as important was what will be accessing the filing cabinet (inventory control software, book keeping software, new program that will be the new killer online app, etc..)

Answer 2

Hi Lady Wraith!



What is SQL Server:



SQL Server is a relational database management system. It creates, processes, and administers the database. Along with a database application, this system contains a server that provides database services to other programs or computers. If you were to install/ purchase this system, you would not need to purchase database software because it's already included.





What version of SQL Server would suit your needs:



1) Enterprise: Designed for the largest organizations and those needing to leverage the

full power of the SQL Server 2008 platform.



2) Standard: Designed for small and midsized organizations that do not need all the

capabilities available in SQL Server 2008 Enterprise.



3) Workgroup: Suitable for small departmental projects with a limited set of features.



4) Express: A freely redistributable version of SQL Server that is designed to handle

the needs of embedded applications as well as the basic data storage needs for

server-based applications, such as Web applications with a small number of users.



5) Compact: Designed as an embedded database.



6) Developer: Designed for use by developers in creating SQL Server applications.

SQL Server 2008 Developer has all the features and capabilities as SQL Server 2008

Enterprise, except that it is not allowed to be used in a production environment.



7) Evaluation: Designed to allow organizations to evaluate SQL Server 2008. SQL Server

2008 Evaluation has all the features and capabilities as SQL Server 2008 Enterprise,

except that it is not allowed to be used in a production environment and it expires

after 180 days.



Lady Wraith, from your description, it seems like you may want to look further into SQL Server Standard or SQL Server Workgroup to satisfy your business' needs. Hope this helps. Let us know which path you chose! :-)

Answer 3

Microsoft SQL Server is a database server. It allows you to build, edit, view and query a database.



You will need a copy of SQL Server on every PC that needs to make changes to the database. This will cost money.



But you get a "Compact" version of SQL Server for free which allows just a view but no changes

Answer 4

SQL Server typically uses two files to save the data contained within the database. A .mdf file contains all of the data, and a .ldf file contains the transaction log (that is, data that has yet to be written to the database). These files typically reside on the same server as the instance of SQL Server, but theoretically, they could be anywhere. When you create a new database in SQL Server, you're given the option as to where you want the data and transaction files to reside. It's preferable to keep them on separate disk drives to avoid disk thrashing.