Microsoft SQL Server Database Snapshots

Help us to keep this website almost Ad Free! It takes only 10 seconds of your time:
> Step 1: Go view our video on YouTube: EF Core Bulk Insert
> Step 2: And Like the video. BONUS: You can also share it!

Remarks

A database snapshot is a read-only, static view of a SQL Server database which is transactionally consistent with the source database as of the moment of the snapshot's creation.

A database snapshot always resides on the same server instance as its source database. As the source database is updated, the database snapshot is updated.

A snapshot differs from a backup since the process of snapshot creation is instantaneous and the snapshot occupies space only as changes in the source database are applied. A backup on the other hand stores a full copy of the data as on the time of backup creation.

Additionally, a snapshot gives an instant read only copy of the database, while a backup needs to be restored to a server in order to be readable (and once restored can be written to as well)

Database snapshots are only available in the Enterprise and Developer editions.



Got any Microsoft SQL Server Question?