SQL Server

SQL Server is Microsoft's relational database management system (RDBMS). It is a full-featured databse primarily designed to compete against competitors Oracle Database (DB) and MySQL. 

Like all major RBDMS, SQL Server supports ANSI SQL, the standard SQL language. However, SQL Server also contains T-SQL, its own SQL implemention. SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) (previously known as Enterprise Manager) is SQL Server's main interface tool, and it supports 32-bit and 64-bit environments.

SQL Server is sometimes referred to as MSSQL and Microsoft SQL Server.

Originally released in 1989 as version 1.0 by Microsoft, in conjunction with Sybase, SQL Server and its early versions were very similar to Sybase. However, the Microsoft-Sybase partnership dissolved in the early 1990s, and Microsoft retained the rights to the SQL Server trade name. Since then, Microsoft has released 2000, 2005 and 2008 versions, which feature more advanced options and better security. 

Examples of some features include: XML data type support, dynamic management views (DMVs), full-text search capability and database mirroring.

SQL Server is offered in several editions with different feature set and pricing options to meet a variety of user needs, including the following:

• Enterprise: Designed for large enterprises with complex data requirements, data warehousing and Web-enabled databases. Has all the features of SQL Server, and its license pricing is the most expensive. 
• Standard: Targeted toward small and medium organizations. Also supports e-commerce and data warehousing.
• Workgroup: For small organizations. No size or user limits and may be used as the backend database for small Web servers or branch offices.
• Express: Free for distribution. Has the fewest number of features and limits database size and users. May be used as a replacement for an Access database.