Understanding Stored Procedures: An AdventureWorks 2016 Database Diagram

When it comes to working with databases, stored procedures are an essential concept for any developer or administrator. In simple terms, a stored procedure can be thought of as a method that takes any number of parameters and possibly returns a result, depending on its definition. If you have experience using a regular programming language such as Visual Basic or C#, this should sound familiar.

According to Microsoft Books Online, a Transact-SQL stored procedure is 'a saved collection of Transact-SQL statements that can take and return user-supplied parameters.' In this article, we will be exploring the use of stored procedures in the context of SQL Server, specifically using the AdventureWorks 2016 database diagram.

There are different types of stored procedures in the context of SQL Server, but for the purpose of this article, we will be focusing on Transact-SQL stored procedures. We will also be using the AdventureWorks 2008 sample database available for download at CodePlex to demonstrate how data can be retrieved from a SQL Server database through stored procedures and displayed in a SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services report.

While it is possible to use a SELECT query, which is the most common way of retrieving data, we will also explore the use of stored procedures (also known as stored procs or SPs) to retrieve data. The dataset can be programmed to use a stored procedure, allowing for more complex data retrieval and manipulation.

In conclusion, stored procedures are an essential part of any database solution, providing a way to encapsulate complex logic and ensure data integrity. By understanding how to work with stored procedures, you can create robust and scalable applications that interact with your SQL Server database.

Adventureworks 2016 database diagram