Understanding System Databases

Every SQL Server 2005 instance contains five system databases—master, model, msdb, tempdb, and resource—that are used for the server initialization, housekeeping, and temporary storage required for application data. In addition, SQL Server 2005 also optionally installs two sample databases: AdventureWorks and AdventureWorksDW. The purpose of all these databases is described in the sections below.

master

The master is by far the most important system database in SQL Server 2005. It contains a set of system tables that serve as a central repository for the entire instance and maintaining information about login accounts, other databases, file allocations, system configuration setting, disk space, resource consumptions, ...

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