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• flat file

  A flat file is a collection of data stored in a two-dimensional database in which similar yet discrete strings of information are stored as records in a table. Continue Reading

• hashing

  Hashing is the process of transforming any given key or a string of characters into another value. Continue Reading

• spatial data

  Spatial data is any type of data that directly or indirectly references a specific geographical area or location. Continue Reading

• query

  A query is a question or a request for information expressed in a formal manner. In computer science, a query is essentially the same thing, the only difference is the answer or retrieved information comes from a database. Continue Reading

• schema

  In computer programming, a schema (pronounced SKEE-mah) is the organization or structure for a database, while in artificial intelligence (AI) a schema is a formal expression of an inference rule. Continue Reading

• Definitions to Get Started

  • flat file
  • hashing
  • spatial data
  • query

  • schema
  • information
  • data structures
  • database management system (DBMS)

  View All Definitions

• information

  Information is stimuli that has meaning in some context for its receiver. When information is entered into and stored in a computer, it is generally referred to as data.Continue Reading

• data structures

  A data structure is a specialized format for organizing, processing, retrieving and storing data.Continue Reading

• database management system (DBMS)

  A database management system (DBMS) is system software for creating and managing databases. A DBMS makes it possible for end users to create, protect, read, update and delete data in a database.Continue Reading

• data mining

  Data mining is the process of sorting through large data sets to identify patterns and establish relationships to solve problems through data analysis.Continue Reading

• data preprocessing

  Data preprocessing describes any type of processing performed on raw data to prepare it for another processing procedure.Continue Reading

• data aggregation

  Data aggregation is any process whereby data is gathered and expressed in a summary form.Continue Reading

• database administrator (DBA)

  A database administrator (DBA) is the information technician responsible for directing or performing all activities related to maintaining a successful database environment.Continue Reading

• FileMaker (FMP)

  FileMaker is a relational database application in which an individual may design -- and easily share on the Internet -- a database file by starting with a blank document or implementing ready-made and customizable templates.Continue Reading

• database normalization

  Database normalization is intrinsic to most relational database schemes. It is a process that organizes data into tables so that results are always unambiguous.Continue Reading

• pivot table

  A pivot table is a statistics tool that summarizes and reorganizes selected columns and rows of data in a spreadsheet or database table to obtain a desired report.Continue Reading

• SQL Server database design best practices and tips for DBAs

  Good database design is a must to meet processing needs in SQL Server systems. In a webinar, consultant Koen Verbeeck offered advice on how to make that happen.Continue Reading

• Check SQL Server Query Store performance impact before using

  Many IT teams hesitate to use SQL Server Query Store due to performance concerns. Consultant Andy Warren offers tips on how to test and get started with Query Store.Continue Reading

• 5 FAQs on SQL Server containers and how to manage them

  Running SQL Server in containers creates new challenges for database administrators. The answers to these questions can guide you through some of them.Continue Reading

• The Power BI-PowerShell cmdlet cheat sheet

  DBAs can manage Power BI data sets, workspaces and reports with PowerShell. Using the two tools together makes for a more efficient and effective workflow.Continue Reading

• Azure Data Studio (formerly SQL Operations Studio)

  Azure Data Studio is a Microsoft tool, originally named SQL Operations Studio, for managing SQL Server databases and cloud-based Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Data Warehouse systems.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Azure SQL Database nears parity with SQL Server

  Microsoft is adding functionality to Azure SQL Database to enable users to migrate more SQL Server applications to the cloud platform and run bigger databases on it.Continue Reading

• 2 ways to attach SQL Server database files to Linux containers

  SQL Server files can be stored outside of Docker containers in host directories or volumes. Here's how to set up SQL Server on Linux databases and attach them to containers.Continue Reading

• Get started with SQL Operations Studio in 7 steps

  Microsoft's newest tool, SQL Operations Studio, provides DBAs with a free, lightweight option for managing SQL Server and Azure databases. Use these tips when trying it out.Continue Reading

• Quick start tips for using the new MSSQL-CLI SQL query tool

  The new MSSQL-CLI command-line tool provides many enhancements over SQLCMD CLI that enable you to quickly write and run T-SQL queries across Linux, macOS and Windows.Continue Reading

• Tips and tricks to cut your SQL Server cloud costs

  Running SQL Server in the cloud can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be. These tips show you where wasteful spending happens and how to keep your database cloud bill low.Continue Reading

• How to attach databases to custom SQL Server containers

  Deploying SQL Server in Docker containers for production applications typically requires custom containers. Here are guidelines on how to attach databases to them.Continue Reading

• Six sample databases for SQL Server and how to find them

  SQL Server sample databases are useful for test and dev, but they can be difficult to parse. Use this SQL database sample overview to decide which to use and how to access them.Continue Reading

• Why running SQL Server on Docker is no longer frowned upon

  Microsoft now lets SQL Server databases run in Docker containers, a capability that depends on using volumes to store data in a persistent way outside the containers.Continue Reading

• How much do you know about the components of SQL Server?

  From SQL Server Machine Learning Services to the SQL Server Operating System, there's a lot to know about SQL Server. Test your SQL Server knowledge with our quiz.Continue Reading

• U-SQL

  U-SQL is a Microsoft query language that combines a declarative SQL-like syntax with C# programming, enabling it to be used to process both structured and unstructured data in big data environments.Continue Reading

• Microsoft SQL Operations Studio eases SQL Server admin tasks

  SQL Operations Studio simplifies routine administration of SQL Server and Azure SQL databases, making database development and management easier for users who aren't full-time DBAs.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB

  Azure Cosmos DB is a Microsoft cloud database that supports multiple ways of storing and processing data. As such, it is classified as a multimodel database.Continue Reading

• How to use a SQL Server create database script to set up databases

  You can create SQL Server databases manually, but knowing how to do a scripted database setup is valuable. Here are the steps involved in executing a create database script.Continue Reading

• Microsoft SSIS (SQL Server Integration Services)

  Microsoft SSIS (SQL Server Integration Services) is an enterprise data integration, data transformation and data migration tool built into Microsoft's SQL Server database.Continue Reading

• How to use Python in SQL Server 2017 to run analytics applications

  From installation to implementation, here are the basic details on how to take advantage of the Python programming language in SQL Server 2017.Continue Reading

• How much do you really know about SQL Server 2016 licensing?

  Should you use Server + CAL licensing for SQL Server 2016 or does Per Core licensing offer more bang for your buck? Read our primer and take this quiz to see if you'd choose right.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Visual FoxPro (Microsoft VFP)

  Microsoft Visual FoxPro (VFP) is an object-oriented programming environment with a built-in relational database engine.Continue Reading

• Tips on how to build your first SQL Server container

  Navigating the new world of containers might seem daunting, but the examples outlined here will walk you through the process of creating and managing containers for SQL Server.Continue Reading

• Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)

  Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integrated environment to manage a SQL Server infrastructure.Continue Reading

• In-Memory OLTP

  In-Memory OLTP is a Microsoft in-memory technology built into SQL Server and optimized for transaction processing applications.Continue Reading

• SQL Server 2016 new features quiz: PolyBase, Stretch Database and more

  With the official release of SQL Server 2016, the upgrade process is starting. Find out if you're a SQL Server 2016 expert or if you still need to learn about SQL Server 2016 new features.Continue Reading

• Community Technology Preview (CTP)

  The Community Technology Preview (CTP) is an early version of a Microsoft product that is released to testers during the software development process. Microsoft releases several CTPs for each product, adding new features, updating pre-existing ones ...Continue Reading

• SQL Server 2016 release guide: News and analysis on the new version

  SQL Server 2016 is being released on June 1, 2016. Learn about Stretch Database, PolyBase, changes to In-Memory OLTP, and other new and updated features in this Essential Guide.Continue Reading

• Microsoft SQL Server 2016

  SQL Server 2016 is a SQL-based relational database management system released by Microsoft for general availability on June 1, 2016. It supports transaction processing, data warehousing and analytics uses and provides new and updated features with a...Continue Reading

• An introduction to SQL Server 2016 dynamic data masking

  An expert provides a step-by-step guide for how to use dynamic data masking in SQL Server 2016 CTP2 and Azure SQL database to protect sensitive data.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Azure Blob Storage database backup and restore

  With Microsoft Azure Blob Storage Service, you can easily perform database backup and restore. Here is a step-by-step approach to using the service.Continue Reading

• SQL Server, Hadoop both part of Analytics Platform System

  A need for data warehouses designed for large-volume data loading and complex analytical workloads led to Microsoft's Analytics Platform System.Continue Reading

• Seven reasons to upgrade to SQL Server 2012

  Support for early versions of SQL Server has ended. But rather than upgrade to SQL Server 2014, companies are turning to SQL Server 2012. Here is why.Continue Reading

• Four points to consider for a SQL Server 2014 installation

  Upgrading to a SQL Server 2014 installation isn't always easy, but it has the features to make it worth your time. Here are some tips for avoiding the pitfalls along the way.Continue Reading

• SQL Server database recovery tool retrieves by the table

  Kroll Ontrack's new SQL Server database recovery tool was developed from customer feedback. It recovers selected tables instead of the whole database.Continue Reading

• The SQL Server Import and Export Wizard how-to guide

  Basit Farooq provides a step-by-step explanation for using the SQL Server Import and Export Wizard to transfer data between SQL Server databases and Microsoft Excel worksheets.Continue Reading

• columnstore index

  A columnstore index is a type of index used to store, manage and retrieve data stored in a columnar format in a database.Continue Reading

• In-memory from xVelocity to the memory-optimized columnstore index

  Robert Sheldon explains the history of in-memory technology from the xVelocity in-memory analysis engine to the memory-optimized columnstore index.Continue Reading

• Using Power BI to enhance SQL Server self-service business intelligence

  SQL Server DBAs and developers should be familiar with Power BI for Office 365. Here's an overview of what it does and how to use it.Continue Reading

• SQL Server buffer pool

  An SQL Server buffer pool, also called an SQL Server buffer cache, is a place in system memory that is used for caching table and index data pages as they are modified or read from disk. Continue Reading

• Microsoft PowerPivot

  PowerPivot is a free Microsoft Excel tool that increases the capabilities of Excel's pre-existing pivot table tool by allowing users to import data from multiple sources.  Continue Reading

• SQL Server encryption features in SQL Server 2014

  Learn about SQL Server encryption features and enhancements in SQL 14, including Transparent Data Encryption and encrypting backups.Continue Reading

• The SQL Server 2012 Fast Track Data Warehouse reference architecture

  Microsoft has released guidelines for a hardware-software configuration that maximizes SQL Server 2012 performance. Learn about what it entails.Continue Reading

• Five SQL Server 2012 business intelligence features

  The BI Semantic Model and Data Quality Services: These are two of the five SQL Server 2012 BI features that highlight this database release.Continue Reading

• Eight key SQL Server 2014 features

  In-memory OLTP and columnar storage are just two of the eight key SQL Server 2014 features, according to this tip.Continue Reading

• AlwaysOn Availability Groups

  AlwaysOn Availability Groups is a database mirroring technique for Microsoft SQL Server that allows administrators to pull together a group of user databases that can fail over together.Continue Reading

• SQL Server backup best practices

  Backup compression and using differential backups are just two of the important SQL Server backup best practices described in this tip.Continue Reading

• AdventureWorks Database

  AdventureWorks Database is a sample OLTP database that Microsoft ships with all of its SQL Server database products.Continue Reading

• SQL CONSTRAINT clauses: FOREIGN KEY, CHECK and DEFAULT

  In SQL Server, SQL CONSTRAINT clauses let you control values entered into a column. Learn about FOREIGN KEY, CHECK and DEFAULT constraints here.Continue Reading

• Using SQL Server Management Studio Table Designer to create a table

  Creating a table correctly in SQL Server can be pretty tricky, but using SQL Server Management Studio Table Designer makes it easier.Continue Reading

• Get going with Microsoft Power View and SharePoint

  In this book excerpt, the authors explain Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services and how to get started with Power View.Continue Reading

• Microsoft SQL Server Parallel Data Warehouse (SQL Server PDW)

  Microsoft SQL Server Parallel Data Warehouse (SQL Server PDW) is a pre-built data warehouse appliance that includes Microsoft SQL Server database software, third-party server hardware and networking components.Continue Reading

• Quiz: How well do you know Windows Azure SQL Database?

  Take this brief quiz to test your understanding of SQL Server cloud-based database technology.Continue Reading

• SVVP (server virtualization validation program)

  SVVP (server virtualization validation program) is a policy that allows administrators running running Windows Server on certified virtualization technologies other than Hyper-V and Microsoft Virtual Server to receive technical support for Windows ...Continue Reading

• SQL Server self-service business intelligence quiz

  Take this quiz to test your knowledge of self-service BI on SQLServer.Continue Reading

• Microsoft GeoFlow

  Microsoft GeoFlow is a three-dimensional data visualization mapping tool for Microsoft Excel.Continue Reading

• multidimensional expressions (MDX)

  multidimensional expressions (MDX)Continue Reading

• SQL Azure

  SQL Azure is Microsoft’s cloud database service.Continue Reading

• BI for SMBs: What's good for the big boys might be bad for you

  Microsoft’s business intelligence stack is just one of the options available for midsized companies looking to implement a customized (and cost-effective) BI strategy.Continue Reading

• Is an Excel pivot table really business intelligence (BI)?

  Although a pivot table is one component of Microsoft’s BI stack, it takes a lot more to create a full-fledged business intelligence solution.Continue Reading

• SQL Server tutorials

  SearchSQLServer.com's tutorials provide the in-depth information SQL Server database administrators and developers are seeking on Microsoft's flagship database enterprise server, SQL Server and its latest release SQL Server 2008. Our SQL Server ...Continue Reading

• Frequently Asked Questions: SQL Server 2008 R2

  Not sure what to make of R2? Here you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions involving the latest database server release from Microsoft.Continue Reading

• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Learning Guide

  This guide provides an in-depth look at SQL Server 2008, with information on upgrading, overviews of the most important new features, and details on future releases.Continue Reading

• SQL Server Consolidation Fast Guide

  This short guide features resources for those looking to learn more about SQL Server consolidation, with details on when (and when not) to consolidate, strategies, best practices and more.Continue Reading

• tablespace

  In a database management system (DBMS), a tablespace is a logical group of data files in a database. A typical database contains at least one tablespace, and usually two or more. In a database, a tablespace plays a role similar to that of a folder...Continue Reading

• SQL Server Reporting Services Fast Guide

  Check out this collection of best practices, troubleshooting advice and perfomance tips for working with SSRS in SQL Server 2005.Continue Reading

• Tutorial: Performance tuning SQL Server via queries, indexes and more

  If you are looking to tune your SQL Server in the hopes of improving performance, this tutorial has the expert advice you need. Learn how to optimize queries, employ the best indexing practices, utilize the best storage or memory configurations and ...Continue Reading

• How to create a SQL inner join and outer join: Basics to get started

  When you're querying a SQL Server database and want to pull related data from more than one table, you'll need to create a join, and here's how.Continue Reading

• Tutorial: SQL Server indexing tips to improve performance

  Significantly improve your SQL Server performance with this tutorial on proper indexing choices, configuration and design.Continue Reading

• SQL Server Service Broker Tutorial and Reference Guide

  Discover the basics of the SQL Server Service Broker, including a general overview on how this addition to SQL Server works.Continue Reading

• Tutorial: SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) best practices

  Whether you plan to migrate SQL Server Data Transformation Services (DTS) packages to SQL Server Integration Services or run DTS packages in SQL Server 2005, this tutorial has it all. Learn the best practices for SQL Server Integration Services (...Continue Reading

• Tutorial: Learn SQL Server basics from A-Z

  If you're having issues with the basics of SQL Server, this learning guide will be the refresher you need. With a wide range of topics, these tutorials and tips will help you relearn SQL Server from the ground up.Continue Reading

• FAQ: Troubleshooting SQL Server Reporting Services

  Troubleshoot SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) issues with these FAQs. If you're having trouble exporting and importing report data, or if you have general configuration issues with SSRS and its reports, find expert advice here.Continue Reading

• FAQ: How to troubleshoot and grant SQL Server permissions

  Problems with permissions will affect your users, their login abilities and their access to certain aspects of your SQL Server. Troubleshoot all of your SQL Server permissions issues with these FAQs.Continue Reading

• SQL Server stored procedures tutorial: Write, tune and get examples

  This SQL Server stored procedures tutorial covers three areas for simplifying database development. A stored procedure, sometimes called the work horse of the database, also provides an important layer of security between the user interface and ...Continue Reading

• Export SQL Server data to an Excel file using SSIS and Visual Studio

  Here are seven steps for transferring SQL Server 2005 data to a MS Excel spreadsheet. In this book chapter from the "Beginners Guide to SQL Server Integration Services Using Visual Studio 2005" by Jayaram Krishnaswamy, you'll learn how to design an ...Continue Reading

• Replication techniques in SQL Server

  The following list will educate you on the replication process in SQL Server and also guide you on how to enhance your techniques when replicating your database(s). If you have database servers that must be involved in various types of replication, ...Continue Reading

• Building a data warehouse in SQL Server: Eight tips to get started

  When building a data warehouse using SQL Server technologies, there are some challenges you may face. SQL Server database expert Baya Pavliashvili addresses some of the most common issues.Continue Reading

• Quiz: Database Basics

  After reading the question, click on the answer that you think is correct.Continue Reading

• FAQ: Top 5 SQL Server backup and recovery problems

  Backup and recovery in SQL Server is another one of those 'do or die' areas. We've tallied your page hits and compiled a Top 5 list of frequently asked questions on the topic, so you'd have a quick reference.Continue Reading

• CLR architecture

  The .NET Framework CLR is very tightly integrated with the SQL Server 2005 database engine. In fact, the SQL Server database engine hosts the CLR. This gives SQL Server 2005 several distinct advantages over the .NET integration that's provided by ...Continue Reading

• Debugging CLR database objects

  One significant feature found in the integration of .NET Framework, Visual Studio 2005, and SQL Server 2005 is the ability to debug the CLR database objects that you create. Find out more in this chapter excerpt.Continue Reading

• CLR stored procedures

  Stored procedures are one of the most common database objects that you'll want to create using one of the managed .NET languages. One of the best uses for CLR stored procedures is to replace existing extended stored procedures. Learn the best ...Continue Reading

• User-Defined Types

  Another important new feature in SQL Server 2005 that is enabled by the integration of the .NET CLR is the ability to create true user-defined types (UDTs). Learn the best ways to utilize them in this chapter excerpt.Continue Reading

• User-Defined Functions

  Creating .NET-based user-defined functions (UDFs) is another new feature that's enabled by the integration of the .NET CLR. Learn more about them in this chapter excerpt.Continue Reading