Merge branch 'main' into release-2025-cu1

Author: v-alje

docs/odbc/reference/develop-app/deferred-buffers.md

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ title: "Deferred Buffers"
 description: "Deferred Buffers"
 author: David-Engel
 ms.author: davidengel
-ms.date: "01/19/2017"
+ms.date: "01/27/2026"
 ms.service: sql
 ms.subservice: connectivity
 ms.topic: concept-article
@@ -12,13 +12,22 @@ helpviewer_keywords:
   - "deferred buffers [ODBC]"
 ---
 # Deferred Buffers
-A *deferred buffer* is one whose value is used at some time *after* it is specified in a function call. For example, **SQLBindParameter** is used to associate, or *bind,* a data buffer with a parameter in a SQL statement. The application specifies the number of the parameter and passes the address, byte length, and type of the buffer. The driver saves this information but does not examine the contents of the buffer. Later, when the application executes the statement, the driver retrieves the information and uses it to retrieve the parameter data and send it to the data source. Therefore, the input of data in the buffer is deferred. Because deferred buffers are specified in one function and used in another, it is an application programming error to free a deferred buffer while the driver still expects it to exist; for more information, see [Allocating and Freeing Buffers](../../../odbc/reference/develop-app/allocating-and-freeing-buffers.md), later in this section.  
+
+A *deferred buffer* is one whose value is used at some time *after* you specify it in a function call. For example, you use **SQLBindParameter** to associate, or *bind,* a data buffer with a parameter in a SQL statement. You specify the number of the parameter and pass the address, byte length, and type of the buffer. The driver saves this information but doesn't examine the contents of the buffer. Later, when you execute the statement, the driver retrieves the information and uses it to retrieve the parameter data and send it to the data source. Therefore, the input of data in the buffer is deferred. Because deferred buffers are specified in one function and used in another, it's an application programming error to free a deferred buffer while the driver still expects it to exist. For more information, see [Allocating and Freeing Buffers](../../../odbc/reference/develop-app/allocating-and-freeing-buffers.md), later in this section.  
 
- Both input and output buffers can be deferred. The following table summarizes the uses of deferred buffers. Note that deferred buffers bound to result set columns are specified with **SQLBindCol**, and deferred buffers bound to SQL statement parameters are specified with **SQLBindParameter**.  
+## Deferred buffer types
+
+Both input and output buffers can be deferred. The following table summarizes the uses of deferred buffers. Note that deferred buffers bound to result set columns are specified with **SQLBindCol**, and deferred buffers bound to SQL statement parameters are specified with **SQLBindParameter**.  
 
 |Buffer use|Type|Specified with|Used by|  
 |----------------|----------|--------------------|-------------|  
 |Sending data for input parameters|Deferred input|**SQLBindParameter**|**SQLExecute**<br /> **SQLExecDirect**|  
-|Sending data to update or insert a row in a result set|Deferred input|**SQLBindCol**|**SQLSetPos**|  
+|Sending data to update or insert a row in a result set|Deferred input|**SQLBindCol**|**SQLSetPos**<br /> **SQLBulkOperations**|  
 |Returning data for output and input/output parameters|Deferred output|**SQLBindParameter**|**SQLExecute**<br /> **SQLExecDirect**|  
 |Returning result set data|Deferred output|**SQLBindCol**|**SQLFetch**<br /> **SQLFetchScroll SQLSetPos**|
+
+## Related content
+
+- [Allocating and Freeing Buffers](../../../odbc/reference/develop-app/allocating-and-freeing-buffers.md)
+- [Data Buffer Address](../../../odbc/reference/develop-app/data-buffer-address.md)
+- [Binding Parameters ODBC](../../../odbc/reference/develop-app/binding-parameters-odbc.md)

docs/odbc/reference/syntax/sqlexecdirect-function.md

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ title: "SQLExecDirect Function"
 description: "SQLExecDirect Function"
 author: David-Engel
 ms.author: davidengel
-ms.date: "01/19/2017"
+ms.date: "01/27/2026"
 ms.service: sql
 ms.subservice: connectivity
 ms.topic: reference
@@ -108,26 +108,28 @@ SQLRETURN SQLExecDirect(
 |IM018|**SQLCompleteAsync** has not been called to complete the previous asynchronous operation on this handle.|If the previous function call on the handle returns SQL_STILL_EXECUTING and if notification mode is enabled, **SQLCompleteAsync** must be called on the handle to do post-processing and complete the operation.|  
   
 ## Comments  
- The application calls **SQLExecDirect** to send a SQL statement to the data source. For more information about direct execution, see [Direct Execution](../../../odbc/reference/develop-app/direct-execution-odbc.md). The driver modifies the statement to use the form of SQL used by the data source and then submits it to the data source. In particular, the driver modifies the escape sequences used to define certain features in SQL. For the syntax of escape sequences, see [Escape Sequences in ODBC](../../../odbc/reference/develop-app/escape-sequences-in-odbc.md).  
+ You call **SQLExecDirect** to send a SQL statement to the data source. For more information about direct execution, see [Direct Execution](../../../odbc/reference/develop-app/direct-execution-odbc.md). The driver modifies the statement to use the form of SQL that the data source uses and then submits it to the data source. In particular, the driver modifies the escape sequences used to define certain features in SQL. For the syntax of escape sequences, see [Escape Sequences in ODBC](../../../odbc/reference/develop-app/escape-sequences-in-odbc.md).  
   
- The application can include one or more parameter markers in the SQL statement. To include a parameter marker, the application embeds a question mark (?) into the SQL statement at the appropriate position. For information about parameters, see [Statement Parameters](../../../odbc/reference/develop-app/statement-parameters.md).  
+ You can include one or more parameter markers in the SQL statement. To include a parameter marker, embed a question mark (?) into the SQL statement at the appropriate position. For information about parameters, see [Statement Parameters](../../../odbc/reference/develop-app/statement-parameters.md).  
   
- If the SQL statement is a **SELECT** statement and if the application called **SQLSetCursorName** to associate a cursor with a statement, then the driver uses the specified cursor. Otherwise, the driver generates a cursor name.  
+ After a successful call to **SQLExecDirect** that returns a result set (such as from a **SELECT** statement), the statement handle is positioned before the first row of the result set. You can then call **SQLFetch** or **SQLFetchScroll** to retrieve rows, or call **SQLRowCount** to determine the number of affected rows for **INSERT**, **UPDATE**, or **DELETE** statements.  
   
- If the data source is in manual-commit mode (requiring explicit transaction initiation) and a transaction has not already been initiated, the driver initiates a transaction before it sends the SQL statement. For more information, see [Manual-Commit Mode](../../../odbc/reference/develop-app/manual-commit-mode.md).  
+ If the SQL statement is a **SELECT** statement and you called **SQLSetCursorName** to associate a cursor with a statement, the driver uses the specified cursor. Otherwise, the driver generates a cursor name.  
   
- If an application uses **SQLExecDirect** to submit a **COMMIT** or **ROLLBACK** statement, it will not be interoperable between DBMS products. To commit or roll back a transaction, an application calls **SQLEndTran**.  
+ If the data source is in manual-commit mode (requiring explicit transaction initiation) and a transaction hasn't already been initiated, the driver initiates a transaction before it sends the SQL statement. For more information, see [Manual-Commit Mode](../../../odbc/reference/develop-app/manual-commit-mode.md).  
   
- If **SQLExecDirect** encounters a data-at-execution parameter, it returns SQL_NEED_DATA. The application sends the data using **SQLParamData** and **SQLPutData**. See [SQLBindParameter](../../../odbc/reference/syntax/sqlbindparameter-function.md), [SQLParamData](../../../odbc/reference/syntax/sqlparamdata-function.md), [SQLPutData](../../../odbc/reference/syntax/sqlputdata-function.md), and [Sending Long Data](../../../odbc/reference/develop-app/sending-long-data.md).  
+ If you use **SQLExecDirect** to submit a **COMMIT** or **ROLLBACK** statement, it won't be interoperable between DBMS products. To commit or roll back a transaction, call **SQLEndTran**.  
   
- If **SQLExecDirect** executes a searched update, insert, or delete statement that does not affect any rows at the data source, the call to **SQLExecDirect** returns SQL_NO_DATA.  
+ If **SQLExecDirect** encounters a data-at-execution parameter, it returns SQL_NEED_DATA. Send the data using **SQLParamData** and **SQLPutData**. See [SQLBindParameter](../../../odbc/reference/syntax/sqlbindparameter-function.md), [SQLParamData](../../../odbc/reference/syntax/sqlparamdata-function.md), [SQLPutData](../../../odbc/reference/syntax/sqlputdata-function.md), and [Sending Long Data](../../../odbc/reference/develop-app/sending-long-data.md).  
   
- If the value of the SQL_ATTR_PARAMSET_SIZE statement attribute is greater than 1 and the SQL statement contains at least one parameter marker, **SQLExecDirect** will execute the SQL statement once for each set of parameter values from the arrays pointed to by the *ParameterValuePointer* argument in the call to **SQLBindParameter**. For more information, see [Arrays of Parameter Values](../../../odbc/reference/develop-app/arrays-of-parameter-values.md).  
+ If **SQLExecDirect** executes a searched update, insert, or delete statement that doesn't affect any rows at the data source, the call to **SQLExecDirect** returns SQL_NO_DATA.  
   
- If bookmarks are turned on and a query is executed that cannot support bookmarks, the driver should attempt to coerce the environment to one that supports bookmarks by changing an attribute value and returning SQLSTATE 01S02 (Option value changed). If the attribute cannot be changed, the driver should return SQLSTATE HY024 (Invalid attribute value).  
+ If the value of the SQL_ATTR_PARAMSET_SIZE statement attribute is greater than 1 and the SQL statement contains at least one parameter marker, **SQLExecDirect** executes the SQL statement once for each set of parameter values from the arrays pointed to by the *ParameterValuePointer* argument in the call to **SQLBindParameter**. For more information, see [Arrays of Parameter Values](../../../odbc/reference/develop-app/arrays-of-parameter-values.md).  
+  
+ If bookmarks are turned on and a query is executed that can't support bookmarks, the driver should attempt to coerce the environment to one that supports bookmarks by changing an attribute value and returning SQLSTATE 01S02 (Option value changed). If the attribute can't be changed, the driver should return SQLSTATE HY024 (Invalid attribute value).  
   
 > [!NOTE]  
->  When using connection pooling, an application must not execute SQL statements that change the database or the context of the database, such as the **USE** _database_ statement in SQL Server, which changes the catalog used by a data source.  
+>  When using connection pooling, don't execute SQL statements that change the database or the context of the database, such as the **USE** _database_ statement in SQL Server, which changes the catalog used by a data source.  
   
 ## Code Example  
  See [SQLBindCol](../../../odbc/reference/syntax/sqlbindcol-function.md), [SQLGetData](../../../odbc/reference/syntax/sqlgetdata-function.md), and [Sample ODBC Program](../../../odbc/reference/sample-odbc-program.md).  
@@ -150,6 +152,6 @@ SQLRETURN SQLExecDirect(
 |Setting a cursor name|[SQLSetCursorName Function](../../../odbc/reference/syntax/sqlsetcursorname-function.md)|  
 |Setting a statement attribute|[SQLSetStmtAttr Function](../../../odbc/reference/syntax/sqlsetstmtattr-function.md)|  
   
-## See Also  
+## Related content  
  [ODBC API Reference](../../../odbc/reference/syntax/odbc-api-reference.md)   
  [ODBC Header Files](../../../odbc/reference/install/odbc-header-files.md)

docs/relational-databases/administer-multiple-servers-using-central-management-servers.md

@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 ---
-title: "Administer multiple servers using Central Management Servers"
+title: "Administer Multiple Servers Using Central Management Servers"
 description: Learn to administer multiple servers in SQL Server by designating Central Management Servers and creating server groups.
 author: "MashaMSFT"
 ms.author: "mathoma"
-ms.reviewer: wiassaf
-ms.date: "01/17/2023"
+ms.reviewer: wiassaf, randolphwest
+ms.date: 01/28/2026
 ms.service: sql
 ms.subservice: supportability
 ms.topic: concept-article
@@ -17,25 +17,26 @@ helpviewer_keywords:
   - "server configuration [SQL Server]"
 ---
 # Administer multiple servers using Central Management Servers
-[!INCLUDE[sqlserver](../includes/applies-to-version/sqlserver.md)]
-  You can administer multiple servers by designating Central Management Servers and creating server groups.  
-  
-## What is a Central Management Server and server groups?  
- An instance of SQL Server designated as a Central Management Server maintains server groups that contain the connection information for one or more instances. You can execute [!INCLUDE[tsql](../includes/tsql-md.md)] statements and Policy-Based Management policies at the same time against server groups. You can also view the log files on instances managed through a Central Management Server. 
- 
- Basically, a Central Management Server is a central repository containing a list of your managed servers. Versions earlier than [!INCLUDE[sql2008-md](../includes/sql2008-md.md)] cannot be designated as a Central Management Server.  
-  
- [!INCLUDE[tsql](../includes/tsql-md.md)] statements can also be executed against local server groups in Registered Servers.  
-  
-## Create Central Management Server and server groups 
- To create a Central Management Server and server groups, use the **Registered Servers** window in [!INCLUDE[ssManStudioFull](../includes/ssmanstudiofull-md.md)]. Note that the Central Management Server should not be a member of a group that it maintains, to prevent accidental audit policy application that could interfere with the CMS itself. SSMS enforces this by preventing a server of the same name as the Central Management Server from being added to a group.
-
- Central Management Servers are [also available in Azure Data Studio](/azure-data-studio/extensions/sql-server-cms-extension).
- 
- For how to create Central Management Servers and server groups, see [Create a Central Management Server and Server Group (SQL Server Management Studio)](/ssms/register-servers/create-a-central-management-server-and-server-group).  
-  
-## Next steps
-
-- [Administer Servers by Using Policy-Based Management](../relational-databases/policy-based-management/administer-servers-by-using-policy-based-management.md)  
+
+[!INCLUDE [sqlserver](../includes/applies-to-version/sqlserver.md)]
+
+You can administer multiple servers by designating Central Management Servers and creating server groups.
+
+## What are a Central Management Server and server groups?
+
+An instance of SQL Server that you designate as a Central Management Server (CMS) maintains server groups that contain the connection information for one or more instances. You can execute [!INCLUDE [tsql](../includes/tsql-md.md)] statements and Policy-Based Management policies at the same time against server groups. You can also view the log files on instances managed through a Central Management Server.
+
+Think of a Central Management Server as a central repository containing a list of your managed servers.
+
+You can also execute [!INCLUDE [tsql](../includes/tsql-md.md)] statements against local server groups in Registered Servers.
+
+## Create Central Management Server and server groups
+
+To create a Central Management Server and server groups, use the **Registered Servers** window in [!INCLUDE [ssManStudioFull](../includes/ssmanstudiofull-md.md)]. The Central Management Server shouldn't be a member of a group that it maintains, to prevent accidental audit policy application that could interfere with the CMS itself. SSMS enforces this restriction by preventing a server of the same name as the Central Management Server from being added to a group.
+
+For more information about creating Central Management Servers and server groups, see [Create a Central Management Server and Server Group (SQL Server Management Studio)](/ssms/register-servers/create-a-central-management-server-and-server-group).
+
+## Related content
+
+- [Administer Servers by Using Policy-Based Management](policy-based-management/administer-servers-by-using-policy-based-management.md)
 - [Create a Central Management Server and Server Group](/ssms/register-servers/create-a-central-management-server-and-server-group)
-- [SQL Server Central Management Servers extension for Azure Data Studio](/azure-data-studio/extensions/sql-server-cms-extension)