Hey Dev, if you are looking to improve your knowledge about SQL Server 2017, you have come to the right place. SQL Server is a relational database management system that can handle a large amount of data, and with its advanced features and improved functionality, it is a popular choice for businesses worldwide. In this article, we will provide you with an in-depth guide about SQL Server 2017.
What is SQL Server 2017?
SQL Server 2017 is the latest version of Microsoft’s SQL Server database management system. It was released in September 2017 and comes with many advanced features, improved security, and enhanced performance. It is a popular choice for businesses of all sizes, and it is widely used for data analytics, business intelligence, and data warehousing.
Top Features of SQL Server 2017
Here are some of the top features of SQL Server 2017:
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
Graph database support |
Allows you to store and query graph data |
Automatic database tuning |
Uses machine learning to optimize database performance |
Advanced security features |
Includes features such as Always Encrypted, Row-Level Security, and Dynamic Data Masking |
Linux support |
Allows you to run SQL Server on Linux operating systems |
Adaptive Query Processing |
Uses machine learning to improve query performance |
These are just some of the many features that SQL Server 2017 offers. Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the most important aspects of SQL Server 2017 that you should know about.
Installation and Configuration
Before you can start using SQL Server 2017, you need to install and configure it. The installation process is straightforward, and you can download the installation files from Microsoft’s website. Once you have downloaded the files, you can launch the setup wizard and follow the on-screen instructions to install SQL Server 2017 on your server or computer.
Configuration Options
During the installation process, you will be asked to configure various settings, including the instance name, the SQL Server services that you want to use, and the authentication mode. You can choose to install the SQL Server Database Engine, SQL Server Analysis Services, SQL Server Integration Services, and SQL Server Reporting Services, among other components.
Hardware and Software Requirements
Before you install SQL Server 2017, you should make sure that your hardware and software meet the minimum requirements. Here are the hardware and software requirements for SQL Server 2017:
Minimum Requirements |
Description |
|---|---|
CPU |
1.4 GHz 64-bit processor |
Memory (RAM) |
At least 2 GB |
Hard Disk Space |
At least 6 GB of available space |
Operating System |
Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 10, or Linux |
.NET Framework |
.NET Framework 4.6 or later |
SQL Server Management Studio
SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is a tool that allows you to manage and administer SQL Server databases. It comes with SQL Server 2017, and it is an essential tool for DBAs, developers, and system administrators. SSMS provides a graphical user interface that allows you to perform various tasks, such as creating and modifying databases, running queries, and managing security.
Key Features of SSMS
Here are some of the key features of SSMS:
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
Object Explorer |
Allows you to view and manage objects in SQL Server |
Query Editor |
Allows you to write and execute SQL queries |
Activity Monitor |
Allows you to monitor the performance of SQL Server |
Database Tuning Advisor |
Allows you to optimize the performance of databases |
Data Import/Export |
Allows you to import and export data to/from SQL Server |
Querying Data with SQL
SQL is the language used to interact with SQL Server databases. It is a powerful language that allows you to retrieve, insert, update, and delete data from tables. Below are some of the basic SQL commands that you need to know:
SELECT Statement
The SELECT statement is used to retrieve data from one or more tables. Here is an example:
SELECT Name, Age, EmailFROM Customers;
INSERT Statement
The INSERT statement is used to add new rows to a table. Here is an example:
INSERT INTO Customers (Name, Age, Email)VALUES ('John Doe', 30, 'john.doe@example.com');
UPDATE Statement
The UPDATE statement is used to modify existing rows in a table. Here is an example:
UPDATE CustomersSET Age = 31WHERE Name = 'John Doe';
DELETE Statement
The DELETE statement is used to remove rows from a table. Here is an example:
DELETE FROM CustomersWHERE Name = 'John Doe';
Backup and Restore Databases
It is essential to back up your SQL Server databases regularly to prevent data loss in case of a disaster. SQL Server 2017 provides several backup and restore options that you can use to create backups and restore them when needed.
Types of Backups
Here are the different types of backups that you can create in SQL Server 2017:
Backup Type |
Description |
|---|---|
Full Backup |
Backs up the entire database |
Differential Backup |
Backs up only the changes made since the last full backup |
Transaction Log Backup |
Backs up the transaction log, which contains all the changes made to the database |
Backup and Restore Commands
Here are some of the basic backup and restore commands that you can use in SQL Server 2017:
-- To create a full backupBACKUP DATABASE MyDatabaseTO DISK = 'C:\Backups\MyDatabase.bak'WITH FORMAT;-- To create a differential backupBACKUP DATABASE MyDatabaseTO DISK = 'C:\Backups\MyDatabaseDiff.bak'WITH DIFFERENTIAL;-- To create a transaction log backupBACKUP LOG MyDatabaseTO DISK = 'C:\Backups\MyDatabaseLog.bak'
-- To restore a full backupRESTORE DATABASE MyDatabaseFROM DISK = 'C:\Backups\MyDatabase.bak'WITH NORECOVERY;-- To restore a differential backupRESTORE DATABASE MyDatabaseFROM DISK = 'C:\Backups\MyDatabaseDiff.bak'WITH NORECOVERY;-- To restore a transaction log backupRESTORE LOG MyDatabaseFROM DISK = 'C:\Backups\MyDatabaseLog.bak'WITH NORECOVERY;
Security
SQL Server 2017 comes with advanced security features that help protect your data from unauthorized access and other security threats. Here are some of the key security features:
Always Encrypted
Always Encrypted is a feature that provides end-to-end encryption for sensitive data. It encrypts the data at rest and in transit, and it ensures that only authorized users can access the data.
Row-Level Security
Row-Level Security is a feature that allows you to restrict access to specific rows in a table. It is particularly useful for multi-tenant environments where you want to ensure that each tenant can only access their own data.
Dynamic Data Masking
Dynamic Data Masking is a feature that allows you to mask sensitive data in real-time. It is an effective way to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access by hiding it from users who do not need to see it.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is SQL Server?
SQL Server is a relational database management system that can handle a large amount of data. It is widely used for data analytics, business intelligence, and data warehousing.
2. What is the latest version of SQL Server?
The latest version of SQL Server is SQL Server 2019.
3. What are the hardware requirements for SQL Server?
The hardware requirements for SQL Server depend on the edition and the workload. For example, the minimum requirements for SQL Server 2017 Standard Edition are a 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor, at least 2 GB of RAM, and at least 6 GB of available hard disk space.
4. What are the backup options in SQL Server?
SQL Server provides several backup options, including full backups, differential backups, and transaction log backups.
5. What security features does SQL Server offer?
SQL Server offers several security features, including Always Encrypted, Row-Level Security, and Dynamic Data Masking.
Conclusion
SQL Server 2017 is a powerful database management system that comes with many advanced features and improved functionality. In this article, we covered some of the most important aspects of SQL Server 2017, including installation and configuration, querying data with SQL, backup and restore options, security features, and more. We hope that this guide has provided you with a better understanding of SQL Server 2017 and that it has helped you improve your knowledge about this popular database management system.