SQL Server Database Engine

The SQL Server Database Engine is the core service for storing, managing, and retrieving data. It provides a robust and scalable platform for relational data management, supporting a wide range of applications and workloads. This section provides comprehensive documentation on its features, architecture, administration, and development aspects.

Key Concepts

Understand the fundamental components and functionalities of the Database Engine:

  • Architecture

    Learn about the internal structure, including processes, memory management, and query processing.

  • Storage Engine

    Explore how data is organized, stored, and accessed efficiently on disk and in memory.

  • Query Processing

    Dive into how SQL Server parses, optimizes, and executes queries to retrieve data.

  • Transactions and Concurrency

    Understand how SQL Server ensures data integrity through ACID properties and manages concurrent access.

Common Tasks

Find guides and tutorials for performing essential database administration and development tasks:

Creating Databases

Steps and best practices for creating new databases.

Managing Tables

Creating, altering, and dropping tables, and understanding data types.

Indexing Strategies

Designing and implementing indexes for optimal query performance.

Security Management

Configuring logins, users, roles, and permissions.

Backup and Restore

Strategies for backing up and recovering your databases.

Performance Tuning

Tools and techniques for diagnosing and improving performance.

API Reference

Detailed documentation for Transact-SQL (T-SQL) and system stored procedures:

T-SQL Statements

Reference for all Transact-SQL data definition and data manipulation language statements.

T-SQL Functions

Documentation for built-in scalar, aggregate, and table-valued functions.

System Stored Procedures

Reference for the extensive set of system stored procedures used for administration and monitoring.

System Catalog Views

Information about database metadata and object definitions.

Latest Updates & Resources