Database Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 3-1.
SQL Server system databases
Table 3-1 describes each of SQL Server's system databases, as shown in Figure-3-1.
Table 3-1.
SQL Server System Databases
Database
Description
master
This is a main controlling database that stores system-level information about users,
various configuration settings, and even information about every other database in SQL
Server.
model
This is a template database; hence, it has default settings that get applied to all other
databases you create.
msdb
SQL Server administration most of the time requires you to perform scheduled jobs. SQL
Server Agent (which is also listed in
Services.msc
below the SQL Server service) is a main
consumer of this database.
tempdb
This is a temporary storage dedicated to SQL Server, and it can contain all the temporary
objects such as tables, stored procedures, and so on. This can also serve the needs of any
other temporary storage requirements that SQL Server might have.
•
User databases are those that are either available as sample databases like
AdventureWorks (which you downloaded and attached in Chapter 1) or any SQL
Server database that has ever been created, anywhere in any SQL Server system,
including one you or your organization is building an application upon. Some
Microsoft-provided sample databases are pubs, northwind, and AdventureWorks.
Since you have already attached AdventureWorks to your SQL Server 2012, it will
be listed in Object Explorer, as shown in Figure 3-2.
