System Tables

SQL Server uses system tables to hold its configuration and object information. The tables are generally named with a sys prefix, such as sysdatabases. For this reason, system tables are often referred to as the sys tables. Some of these, such as syslogins, are actually implemented as views. The system tables are broken into two basic categories. The system catalog tables are contained in the master database and contain information common to the entire installation. The database catalog is contained in each database, including the master, and contains information specific to that database. The msdb database has—in addition to its database catalog—additional system tables related to SQL Agent, Backup and Recovery, and log shipping ...

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