Microsoft System CLR Types per SQL Server 2016 15.0.2000.5

System CLR Types for SQL Server is a library introduced by Microsoft starting from SQL Server 2005 that allows interaction with SQL Server from .NET applications using SQL Server user-defined types and CLR user-defined functions.

The purpose of System CLR Types is to extend the functionality of SQL Server by enabling it to store and manipulate objects defined in the .NET Framework common language runtime (CLR).

System CLR Types is supported in SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 R2, SQL Server 2012, SQL Server 2014, and SQL Server 2016.

System CLR Types can be installed as a standalone package or as part of the shared components of SQL Server. The standalone package can be downloaded from Microsoft Download Center, while the shared components can be installed during the SQL Server installation process.

System CLR Types can be useful in scenarios such as storing and manipulating complex data types, implementing sophisticated business logic, and accessing external resources such as web services and .NET libraries.

Yes, Azure SQL Database supports System CLR Types since version V12.

No, System CLR Types is a feature specific to Microsoft SQL Server and cannot be used with other database management systems.

While having a strong background in .NET development can be helpful, it is not strictly necessary to use System CLR Types. Basic understanding of .NET programming concepts and SQL Server architecture is sufficient.

Some best practices for using System CLR Types include carefully defining user-defined types and functions, avoiding excessive complexity, and thoroughly testing all custom code before deployment in production environments.

Yes, in some scenarios using System CLR Types can improve performance, especially when dealing with complex data types or implementing complex algorithms that are difficult to achieve with SQL Server native features.