Query Tools and Programming Interfaces

Users who access and change data in Microsoft® SQL Server™ require different levels of Transact-SQL knowledge. These levels depend on the way users access the database:

• Users of graphical report generators and general business applications need little or no knowledge of Transact-SQL. The applications present either easy-to-use charts and graphs, which require little database knowledge, or dialog boxes based on the user’s business functions.
• Users of general purpose SQL applications, such as SQL Server Query Analyzer and the osql utility, must understand how to use Transact-SQL from the utilities or in scripts of Transact-SQL statements.
• Application programmers must know everything about Transact-SQL that users of generic SQL applications know. Programmers must also understand how to use a database application programming interface (API) to provide data values for Transact-SQL statements and to retrieve the data in a result set.

The topics in Accessing and Changing Data are directed primarily at the latter two categories of users. The information in each topic is directed toward users of generic SQL tools and application programmers. Also, where it is relevant, information about additional features available to application programmers is provided.

Many users may at different times work in all three categories of applications. Application programmers may often use a SQL Server tool, such as SQL Server Query Analyzer, to test their Transact-SQL statements before coding them into an application. Database administrators work at all three levels as they work with users and programmers to design new features and resolve database problems.