Welcome Dev, whether you are an experienced developer or looking to enter the world of database management, you’ve come to the right place. In this journal article, we will go through all the important aspects of SQL Server 2018, the latest version of Microsoft’s flagship database management system.
What is SQL Server 2018?
Before we dive into the details, let’s first define what SQL Server 2018 is. It is a relational database management system (RDBMS) developed by Microsoft. It is used to store, organize, and retrieve data from various sources. It is widely used in the industry for its scalability, security, and ease of use.
How is SQL Server 2018 different from previous versions?
SQL Server 2018 comes with a host of new features and improvements over its predecessors. Some of the notable changes are:
New Features |
Improvements |
|---|---|
Intelligent Query Processing |
Better performance |
Graph database capabilities |
Enhanced security |
Support for big data clusters |
Improved monitoring and diagnostics |
We will discuss each of these features in detail in the following sections.
Installation and Configuration
The first step in using SQL Server 2018 is to install and configure it on your system. The installation process is straightforward and can be done using the SQL Server Installation Center. Once installed, you can configure various settings such as security, network protocols, and server properties.
Minimum Requirements
Before installing SQL Server 2018, make sure your system meets the minimum requirements:
Requirement |
Minimum |
|---|---|
Processor |
1.4 GHz 64-bit processor |
Memory |
2 GB RAM |
Storage |
6 GB of free space |
Once you have installed SQL Server 2018, you can use the SQL Server Configuration Manager to manage various aspects of the server, such as setting up logins, creating databases, and setting up backups.
Intelligent Query Processing
One of the key features of SQL Server 2018 is Intelligent Query Processing, which uses machine learning to improve query performance. It includes several sub-features such as:
Adaptive Query Processing
Adaptive Query Processing allows SQL Server 2018 to adapt to changing workloads by dynamically changing the query plan. This can significantly improve query performance in real-time.
Batch Mode Execution
Batch Mode Execution allows SQL Server 2018 to process queries in batches, thereby improving performance by reducing the number of context switches between the processor and memory.
Interleaved Execution
Interleaved Execution allows SQL Server 2018 to execute multiple concurrent queries on a single thread, thereby improving performance by reducing the amount of context switching between threads.
Graph Database Capabilities
SQL Server 2018 comes with built-in support for graph databases, a type of database that uses graph theory to store and query data. Graph databases are particularly useful for data that has complex relationships, such as social networks, recommendation engines, and fraud detection systems.
Graph Data Storage
Graph data is stored as nodes and edges, with properties attached to each. This allows for efficient querying and traversal of complex relationships.
Query Language
SQL Server 2018 provides a specialized query language, called Graph Query Language (GQL), for querying graph data. GQL is optimized for querying complex relationships and supports operations such as path traversal, shortest path calculation, and cycle detection.
Support for Big Data Clusters
SQL Server 2018 comes with built-in support for big data clusters, allowing you to store and analyze large amounts of data using a combination of SQL Server and Apache Hadoop. Big data clusters are particularly useful for data-intensive applications such as data warehousing, data lakes, and data analytics.
Architecture
A big data cluster consists of several components, including SQL Server, Apache Hadoop, and Apache Spark. Data is stored in a distributed file system, such as Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS), and can be accessed using either SQL Server or Spark.
Data Virtualization
SQL Server 2018 provides data virtualization capabilities, allowing you to access data from external sources such as Apache Kafka, Oracle, and MongoDB, without the need to move the data into SQL Server. This can significantly reduce the complexity and cost of data integration.
Enhanced Security
SQL Server 2018 comes with enhanced security features to protect your data from unauthorized access and malicious attacks.
Always Encrypted
Always Encrypted is a feature that allows you to encrypt sensitive data at rest and in transit, without the need for application changes. The encryption keys are stored outside the database, providing an additional layer of protection.
Row-Level Security
Row-Level Security allows you to restrict access to data at the row level, based on user permissions. This can be particularly useful for multi-tenant applications or applications with varying levels of access rights.
Dynamic Data Masking
Dynamic Data Masking allows you to mask sensitive data, such as credit card numbers or social security numbers, from non-privileged users. The data is masked at the database level, allowing you to control access to sensitive data without the need for application changes.
Improved Monitoring and Diagnostics
SQL Server 2018 comes with improved monitoring and diagnostics features, allowing you to monitor the performance and health of your servers more effectively.
Query Store
Query Store allows you to capture query execution plans and statistics, allowing you to troubleshoot performance problems more effectively. It also provides a history of query performance, allowing you to track changes in query performance over time.
Extended Events
Extended Events is a lightweight profiling framework that allows you to capture and analyze system events, such as database backups, deadlocks, and error messages. It provides a flexible and extensible framework for monitoring and troubleshooting server problems.
Dynamic Management Views
Dynamic Management Views provide a set of predefined views that allow you to monitor and diagnose server performance. They are particularly useful for troubleshooting problems related to memory usage, disk usage, and query performance.
FAQ
What is the cost of SQL Server 2018?
The cost of SQL Server 2018 varies depending on the edition and licensing model you choose. The Enterprise edition is the most expensive, while the Express edition is free. Licensing options include per-core, per-server, and per-user.
Can I use SQL Server 2018 on Linux?
Yes, SQL Server 2018 is supported on Linux, in addition to Windows. This allows you to run SQL Server on the platform of your choice, whether it be on-premises or in the cloud.
What is the maximum size of a SQL Server 2018 database?
The maximum size of a SQL Server 2018 database depends on the edition and licensing model you choose. The Enterprise edition has no maximum size limit, while the Express edition has a limit of 10 GB.
What is the difference between SQL Server and Microsoft Access?
SQL Server is a full-featured relational database management system designed for enterprise-level applications, while Microsoft Access is a desktop database management system designed for small-scale applications. SQL Server offers better scalability, security, and performance than Access.
Can I use SQL Server 2018 with other programming languages besides SQL?
Yes, SQL Server 2018 supports several programming languages besides SQL, including C#, Java, Python, and R. This allows you to write stored procedures, user-defined functions, and other database objects using the language of your choice.
Conclusion
SQL Server 2018 is a powerful and versatile database management system that offers a host of new features and improvements over its predecessors. Whether you are a developer or a database administrator, SQL Server 2018 has something to offer. We hope this journal article has given you a comprehensive understanding of SQL Server 2018 and its capabilities.