What is the difference between SQL and SQL Server? This question is a very common one among people that just started working with databases.
This short post answers this question.
What is SQL?
SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It is a language that is used for accessing and managing data stored in Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMSs). SQL became a standard of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in 1986, and of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 1987.
Example of an SQL Statement
An example of standard SQL command is the below:
SELECT * FROM tableA WHERE id=1
What is SQL Server?
SQL Server is a Relational Database Management System developed by Microsoft. In SQL Server, you can store, organize and retrieve data, among other, using SQL statements. In addition to the standard SQL language which is fully supported by SQL Server, you can also use many other statements and commands. All these fall under Transact-SQL (or T-SQL). T-SQL is Microsoft’s proprietary extension to the SQL and provides a large number of extensions in terms of functions, views, system catalogs, stored procedures, etc. which enhance the user’s experience with SQL Server.
Example of a T-SQL Statement
An example of a T-SQL command is the below:
SELECT *, CAST(GETDATE() AS DATE) as CurrentDate FROM tableA WHERE id=1
Learn More about SQL Server
Enroll to my online course on Udemy, titled “SQL Server Fundamentals – SQL Database for Beginners” and get started with SQL Server on both Windows and Linux in no time!
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Reference: {essentialDevTips.com} (https://www.essentialdevtips.com/)
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Artemakis Artemiou is a Senior SQL Server Architect, Author, a 9 Times Microsoft Data Platform MVP (2009-2018). He has over 15 years of experience in the IT industry in various roles. Artemakis is the founder of SQLNetHub and {essentialDevTips.com}. Artemakis is the creator of the well-known software tools Snippets Generator and DBA Security Advisor. Also, he is the author of many eBooks on SQL Server. Artemakis currently serves as the President of the Cyprus .NET User Group (CDNUG) and the International .NET Association Country Leader for Cyprus (INETA). Moreover, Artemakis teaches on Udemy, you can check his courses here.