About SQL Server

Microsoft SQL Server is responsible for:

  • Maintaining the relationships between data in the database
  • Ensuring that data is stored correctly and that the rules defining data relationships are not violated
  • Managing data and user security
  • Optimizing server function performance
  • Recovering all data to a point of known consistency in case of system failures

SQL Server is primarily responsible for managing databases that interact with enterprise business systems. Some of the components that make up these databases are:

  • Tables
  • Views
  • Stored procedures
  • Triggers
  • Constraints
  • Indexes
  • Keys
  • User defined data types

These databases are available in the SQL Server: the application database, the forms database, the objects database, and the templates database.

Note: Users can create an "All-in-One" database that contains the data for all these databases.

Application database

The application database holds all of the data for your application. This database is made up of tables, stored procedures, triggers, user defined data types, and indexes. This information is stored on the database server.

Forms database

The forms database holds all of the information about each form. This information is stored on the database server.

For example, components such as text boxes, labels, tabs, radio groups, buttons, and all of the associated properties, such as size, color, validation, and events, are kept in the forms database in a multitude of tables.

Objects database

The objects database stores the IDO metadata.

Templates database

The templates database stores input from the New Form Wizard, such as form type, IDO name, properties, and so on. If you recreate a form, all the information previously entered is preserved so that you can make incremental changes. This is typically only used in the initial stages of form development. Once you start adjusting layout and adding components, it is not recommended that you recreate the form unless you understand that those changes are lost.