Introduction to SQL Server — Complete Guide
Introduction to SQL Server — Complete Guide: free step-by-step lesson with examples, common mistakes, and interview tips — part of SQL Server Tutorial on Toolliyo Academy.
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SQL Server Tutorial · Lesson 2 of 100
SQL Server
SQL basics → Queries → Advanced
SQL basics · 1 — SELECT · ~6 min · SQL — Foundations
What is this?
SQL Server is Microsoft’s relational database engine. You store data in tables and talk to it with T-SQL. Tools like SSMS and Azure Data Studio connect as clients.
Why should you care?
Banks, hospitals, and .NET backends in India often standardize on SQL Server for transactions, security, and Windows/Azure integration.
See it live — copy this example
Run in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) or Azure Data Studio.
SELECT @@VERSION AS SqlServerVersion;
SELECT DB_NAME() AS CurrentDatabase;
SELECT SUSER_SNAME() AS LoginName;What happened?
- @@VERSION prints the product build.
- DB_NAME() shows which database the session uses.
- SUSER_SNAME() shows your login — useful when you wonder “am I connected where I think?”
Practice next
- Connect with SSMS using Windows or SQL auth.
- Run the three SELECT statements.
- Write down the version year (2019, 2022, etc.).
- Run SELECT SERVERPROPERTY('Edition'), SERVERPROPERTY('ProductVersion');
- Switch databases with USE and recheck DB_NAME().
Remember
SQL Server is the engine; SSMS is a client. T-SQL is the language you write. @@VERSION confirms what you installed.
ASP.NET Core API on SQL Server
A payments API stores accounts in DataVerse on SQL Server 2022.
Outcome: Same engine in staging and production; fewer “works on my machine” DB surprises.
Interview prep for this lesson
Practice these questions aloud after reading—each links to a full structured answer.
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