A query is a request for data that is stored in SQL Server. A
query can be issued by using several forms: An MS Query or
Microsoft Access user can use a graphical user interface (GUI)
to pick the data the user wants to see from one or more SQL
Server tables. A user of SQL Server Management Studio or the
osql utility can issue a SELECT statement. A client or middle
tier-based application, such as a Microsoft Visual Basic
application, can map the data from a SQL Server table into a
bound control, such as a grid. Although queries have various
ways of interacting with a user, they all accomplish the same
task: They present the result set of a SELECT statement to the
user. Even if the user never specifies a SELECT statement, as is
usually the case with graphical tools such as Visual Studio
Query Designer, the client software transforms each user query
into a SELECT statement that is sent to SQL Server. The SELECT
statement retrieves data from SQL Server and returns it to the
user in one or more result sets. A resu