Microsoft SQL Server vs. SQL Server

Attribute	Microsoft SQL Server	SQL Server
Developer	Microsoft Corporation	Microsoft Corporation
Initial Release	1989	1989
Latest Version	SQL Server 2019	SQL Server 2019
License	Proprietary	Proprietary
Operating System	Windows	Windows
Language Support	T-SQL	T-SQL
Primary Database Model	Relational DBMS	Relational DBMS
Storage	On-disk and In-memory	On-disk and In-memory
Replication	Yes	Yes
Clustering	Yes	Yes
Partitioning	Yes	Yes
Full-Text Search	Yes	Yes
XML Support	Yes	Yes
Backup and Restore	Yes	Yes
Security	Yes	Yes

Introduction

Microsoft SQL Server and SQL Server are both relational database management systems (RDBMS) developed by Microsoft. While they share the same name, there are some key differences between the two versions. In this article, we will compare the attributes of Microsoft SQL Server and SQL Server, highlighting their features, performance, scalability, security, and support.

Features

Both Microsoft SQL Server and SQL Server offer a wide range of features to meet the needs of different users. They support advanced querying capabilities, stored procedures, triggers, and views. Additionally, they provide support for various data types, including numeric, string, date, and time. Both versions also offer support for XML data and have built-in support for full-text search functionality.

However, Microsoft SQL Server has an edge over SQL Server when it comes to features. It offers additional features such as data compression, partitioning, and advanced analytics with integration of R and Python. Microsoft SQL Server also provides support for in-memory OLTP, which allows for faster processing of high-volume transactional workloads.

Performance

Performance is a crucial aspect of any database system. Both Microsoft SQL Server and SQL Server are designed to deliver high performance. They optimize query execution plans, provide indexing options, and offer tools for performance tuning and monitoring.

However, Microsoft SQL Server generally outperforms SQL Server in terms of performance. It has advanced query optimization techniques, parallel processing capabilities, and improved memory management. Microsoft SQL Server also offers features like columnstore indexes and in-memory OLTP, which can significantly enhance performance for specific workloads.

Scalability

Scalability is an important consideration for growing businesses. Both Microsoft SQL Server and SQL Server are designed to scale horizontally and vertically. They support clustering, replication, and database mirroring for high availability and fault tolerance.

However, Microsoft SQL Server has better scalability options compared to SQL Server. It offers features like Always On Availability Groups, which provide automatic failover and load balancing across multiple replicas. Microsoft SQL Server also supports scale-out scenarios with the use of distributed databases and sharding.

Security

Data security is a critical aspect of any database system. Both Microsoft SQL Server and SQL Server provide robust security features to protect sensitive data. They support authentication mechanisms, role-based access control, and encryption of data at rest and in transit.

Microsoft SQL Server, however, offers additional security features compared to SQL Server. It provides features like Transparent Data Encryption (TDE), which encrypts the entire database at rest. Microsoft SQL Server also offers Dynamic Data Masking, which allows for selective masking of sensitive data to protect privacy.

Support

When it comes to support, both Microsoft SQL Server and SQL Server benefit from Microsoft's extensive support network. They have a large user community, online forums, and official documentation. Microsoft also provides regular updates, bug fixes, and security patches for both versions.

However, Microsoft SQL Server receives more frequent updates and new features compared to SQL Server. It is the flagship product of Microsoft's database offerings and receives priority in terms of support and development.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Microsoft SQL Server and SQL Server are powerful RDBMS options with a wide range of features, performance optimizations, scalability options, and robust security measures. While SQL Server is a solid choice for many applications, Microsoft SQL Server offers additional advanced features, better performance, scalability, and security options. Ultimately, the choice between the two versions depends on the specific requirements and budget of the organization.