SQL (Structured Query Language) is a standardized programming language used for managing relational databases. It provides a set of commands for querying and manipulating data in a database. T-SQL (Transact-SQL), on the other hand, is a proprietary extension of SQL used by Microsoft SQL Server and Sybase.
Syntax: SQL follows the ANSI/ISO SQL standards, which means it has a standardized syntax that is more portable across different database systems. T-SQL, being a proprietary extension, includes additional features and syntax that are specific to Microsoft SQL Server.
Features: T-SQL offers several features beyond the standard SQL functionality. These include stored procedures, user-defined functions, triggers, transactions, and error handling mechanisms. These features allow for more complex and advanced database operations.
System functions: T-SQL provides additional system functions and extensions that are specific to SQL Server, such as date and time functions, string manipulation functions, and system-related functions. These functions are not available in standard SQL.
Exception handling: T-SQL has built-in error handling capabilities using the TRY-CATCH construct. It allows you to catch and handle exceptions or errors that occur during the execution of a T-SQL statement or block of statements. Standard SQL does not have a standardized error handling mechanism.
Integration with programming languages: T-SQL can be embedded within programming languages like C# or VB.NET using SQL Server's CLR (Common Language Runtime) integration. This enables developers to write and execute T-SQL statements within their application code. Standard SQL does not have direct integration with programming languages.
It's important to note that most of the SQL syntax and basic functionality are common between SQL and T-SQL. However, T-SQL provides additional capabilities and extensions that are specific to Microsoft SQL Server.