Why so many ways of doing things with MSSQL

  • When looking at this SQL Server website, you will see the same operation done in different ways. But! It's the same operation! Why?
  • There are a few reasons:
    1. Historical: Microsoft SQL Server started as Sybase SQL Server, when they bought the rights to it with SQL Server 4.21 from Sybase.
      1. Microsoft need to keep some compatibility with older versions, so people can upgrade. They usually announce 2 versions in advance that they will deprecate this or that feature/way of doing things.
      2. That's the way, we've always done it! Microsoft need to support the usual way of doing things.
    2. Standards: Microsoft SQL Server is getting closer to following the SQL standards.
    3. ANSI compliance: SQL as a language has evolved from ANSI SQL92 to ANSI SQL99 to ANSI SQL2003.
    4. Art: SQL is an art and not a science, so people will figure new ways and sometimes better ways of doing things.

Applies to:

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2000
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2005
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2008