⇒ SQL server has two things: 1- SQL server versions :every year Microsoft add tools or updates. 2- SQL server Editions: some advantages but it is used by paying money (Enterprise(large scale..etc.), Standard developer, BI editions, Express, Azure (for cloud)).

When setting up SQL Server, you create an instance that includes two main components: services and applications.

1. Services:

These are background services that run SQL Server's core functions and features, depending on your use case (general database management, business intelligence, etc.).

• a. Database Engine (SQLServer/MSSQLSERVER):
  • The core SQL Server service that handles data storage, queries, transactions, security, and more.
  • This is the main service you'll use for standard database operations.
• b. Data Quality Services (DQS):
  • This service helps ensure that your data is accurate and consistent by providing data cleansing and matching tools.
• Services for Business Intelligence (BI):
  • c. SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS):
    • A platform for data integration and workflow automation.
    • SSIS is used for ETL processes (Extract, Transform, Load), helping move and transform data from different sources into SQL Server.
  • d. SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS):
    • A platform for creating, managing, and delivering reports.
    • Allows users to design reports with interactive elements, graphs, and drill-down functionality, which can be viewed on different devices.
  • e. SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS):
    • Provides online analytical processing (OLAP) and data mining functionalities.
    • This service allows for building cubes for multi-dimensional analysis, making it a powerful tool for advanced data analytics and business intelligence tasks.

2. Applications:

These are client applications or tools that help users interact with SQL Server services. They provide an interface to manage databases, design BI solutions, monitor performance, and more.

• a. SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS):
  • The most commonly used application for connecting to the Database Engine and managing databases.
  • Provides a graphical user interface (GUI) to perform queries, manage security, configure databases, and perform administrative tasks.
• b. SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT):
  • A development environment used to create BI solutions like SSIS packages, SSRS reports, and SSAS cubes.
  • It integrates with Visual Studio, allowing developers to design and deploy BI applications.
• c. Data Quality Client:
  • This application is used to connect to Data Quality Services (DQS) and provides an interface to perform data cleansing and data matching.
• d. SQL Server Profiler:
  • A performance monitoring tool that tracks and logs events happening on the Database Engine.
  • It’s useful for diagnosing performance issues, debugging queries, and monitoring activity on the server.
• e. SQL Server Tuning Advisor:
  • An analysis tool that helps optimize database performance by analyzing workloads and suggesting indexes or other improvements to increase query efficiency.

⇒ Here are two types of instances you can install:

1. Default Instance:

• This is the first SQL Server instance you typically install, and it doesn’t require a custom name.