| title | What is SQL Server? |
|---|---|
| description | An overview of the relational database engine and components of SQL Server |
| author | rwestMSFT |
| ms.author | randolphwest |
| ms.date | 12/07/2023 |
| ms.service | sql |
| ms.subservice | release-landing |
| ms.topic | conceptual |
[!INCLUDE sqlserver]
[!INCLUDE msconame-md] [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md] is a relational database management system (RDBMS). Applications and tools connect to a [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md] instance or database, and communicate using Transact-SQL (T-SQL).
You can install [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md] on Windows or Linux, deploy it in a Linux container, or deploy it on an Azure Virtual Machine or other virtual machine platform. You previously might have referred to this as the boxed product.
Supported versions of [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md] depend on your license agreement, but for the purposes of this documentation, we mean [!INCLUDE sssql16-md] and later versions. Documentation for [!INCLUDE sssql14-md] and previous versions is available at Previous versions of SQL Server documentation. To find out which versions of [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md] are currently supported, see SQL Server end of support options.
The underlying [!INCLUDE ssdenoversion-md] is also used by the following products and services:
- [[!INCLUDE ssazure-sqldb]](/azure/azure-sql/database/sql-database-paas-overview)
- [[!INCLUDE ssazuremi_md]](/azure/azure-sql/managed-instance/sql-managed-instance-paas-overview)
- Microsoft Analytics Platform System (PDW)
- [[!INCLUDE ssazuresynapse-md]](/azure/synapse-analytics/overview-what-is)
- [[!INCLUDE ssazurede-md]](/azure/azure-sql-edge/overview)
[!INCLUDE editions-supported-features-windows]
This section describes some of the key technologies available in [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md].
The [!INCLUDE ssde-md] is the core service for storing, processing, and securing data. The [!INCLUDE ssde-md] provides controlled access and transaction processing to meet the requirements of the most demanding data consuming applications within your enterprise. The [!INCLUDE ssde-md] also provides rich support for sustaining business continuity through Business continuity and database recovery.
Machine Learning Services supports integration of machine learning, using the popular R and Python languages, into enterprise workflows.
Machine Learning Services (In-Database) integrates R and Python with [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md], making it easy to build, retrain, and score models by calling stored procedures. Machine Learning Server provides enterprise-scale support for R and Python, without requiring [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md].
SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is a platform for building high performance data integration solutions, including packages that provide extract, transform, and load (ETL) processing for data warehousing.
SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) is an analytical data platform and toolset for personal, team, and corporate business intelligence. Servers and client designers support traditional OLAP solutions, new tabular modeling solutions, as well as self-service analytics and collaboration using [!INCLUDE power-pivot-md], Excel, and a SharePoint Server environment. [!INCLUDE ssASnoversion] also includes Data Mining so that you can uncover the patterns and relationships hidden inside large volumes of data.
SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) delivers enterprise, Web-enabled reporting functionality. You can create reports that draw content from various data sources, publish reports in various formats, and centrally manage security and subscriptions.
SQL Server Replication is a set of technologies for copying and distributing data and database objects from one database to another, and then synchronizing between databases to maintain consistency. By using replication, you can distribute data to different locations and to remote or mobile users with local and wide area networks, dial-up connections, wireless connections, and the Internet.
Data Quality Services (DQS) provides you with a knowledge-driven data cleansing solution. DQS enables you to build a knowledge base, and then use that knowledge base to perform data correction and deduplication on your data, using both computer-assisted and interactive means. You can use cloud-based reference data services, and you can build a data management solution that integrates DQS with [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md] Integration Services and Master Data Services.
Master Data Services (MDS) is the [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] solution for master data management. A solution built on [!INCLUDE ssMDSshort] helps ensure that reporting and analysis are based on the right information. Using [!INCLUDE ssMDSshort], you create a central repository for your master data and maintain an auditable, securable record of that data as it changes over time.
Although [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md] is a standalone product, which can be installed on computers running Windows and Linux operating systems, you can integrate your [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md] instances with several Azure services.
SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines enables you to use full versions of [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md] in the cloud without having to manage any on-premises hardware. [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md] virtual machines (VMs) also simplify licensing costs when you pay as you go.
Azure virtual machines run in many different geographic regions around the world. They also offer various machine sizes. The virtual machine image gallery allows you to create a [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md] VM with the right version, edition, and operating system. This makes virtual machines a good option for many different [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md] workloads.
SQL Server enabled by Azure Arc simplifies governance and management by delivering a consistent multicloud and on-premises management platform. Azure Arc provides a centralized, unified way to manage your entire environment together, combining existing non-Azure and/or on-premises virtual machines, Kubernetes clusters, and databases into Azure Resource Manager.
You can use Azure services and management capabilities, introduce DevOps practices to support new cloud native patterns in your environment, and configure custom locations as an abstraction layer on top of Azure Arc-enabled Kubernetes clusters and cluster extensions, regardless of where your resources live.
Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) is a managed Kubernetes service for deploying and managing container clusters. With [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md] on Linux containers, you can deploy a SQL Server Linux container to AKS using Helm charts.
Note
You can also set up Azure Arc-enabled SQL Managed Instance on a Kubernetes infrastructure of your choice, which allows you to manage the service in Azure while your data stays in the location you prefer.
[!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md] provides many opportunities to migrate and modernize your data estate.
- Migrate SQL Server workloads (FAQ)
- Import and Export Data with the SQL Server Import and Export Wizard
- Azure Database Migration Guides
- Migrate databases and structured data to SQL Server on Linux 1
- Data Migration Assistant
- Import data from Excel to SQL Server or Azure SQL Database
- SQL Server Migration Assistant
1 [!INCLUDE sssql17-md] and later versions.
[!INCLUDE get-help-options]