What is SQL?

General information

The database software we are using is Microsoft's SQL Server™ 2000, a well-proven server database technology to provide a more robust and secure storage of your data. The PracSoft SQL Server functions extremely well over phone line connections, and provides other network architecture options for multi-site practices.

What is SQL?

A. SQL is an acronym for 'Structured Query Language' - it is a language for communicating with server databases. SQL does not really describe the database itself, but rather the method of accessing the database.

What is a SQL Server database?

The database files are secured, protected and accessible ONLY by the SQL Server database program. The SQL Server database program is responsible for protecting the integrity of those files, during all database operations. Each workstation accesses data by asking the SQL Server database program for it. This is quite different from the current situation where workstations directly access the database files themselves, as these files are shared network files.

Why haven't we used SQL Server database from the beginning?

PracSoft was not originally developed using a SQL Server database for the following reasons - cost and complexity.

Cost: Until recently it was prohibitively expensive to purchase the Server database licence. It was only affordable by Government and big business. Now Microsoft allows us to distribute the licence relatively inexpensively.

Complexity: The administration of Server databases was complex, and required constant 'tweaking' by a database administrator. The technology has now improved so that the Server database can 'tweak' itself, and most of the administrative tasks can be scheduled or automated.