I’m doing a basic presentation at the Rocky Mountain Tech Trifecta later this month on what SQL Server is from a basic viewpoint. I had a request for this at the SQL Saturday #17 in Baton Rouge last year and I’ve been meaning to get it written. Apparenltly there are a decent number of developers, managers, PMs, etc. that attend events, trying to better understand technology and it seems that we don’t often get to a basic enough level for them.

So what is SQL Server? A set of Excel spreadsheets? Is it a filing cabinet? Is it a library? Is it a storage mechanism or something more complex?

You’ll have to see the presentation to get my thoughts. However I would be interested in analogies or ideas that others have for explaining SQL Server to a manager, a new developer, or maybe even your Mom or kids.

I’ll try to record a version and stick it up on the Internet at some point.