What are MDF and NDF files in SQL Server?

What is the difference between MDF and NDF files?

NDF is secondary storage file because SQL server stores user specified data in primary storage file known as MDF. NDF data file is optional and is user-defined to manage data storage in case the primary MDF file uses all the allocated space.

What are NDF files SQL?

An NDF file is a user defined secondary database file of Microsoft SQL Server with an extension . ndf, which store user data. Moreover, when the size of the database file growing automatically from its specified size, you can use . ndf file for extra storage and the . ndf file could be stored on a separate disk drive.

What are MDF files in SQL Server?

mdf extension is a Master Database File used by Microsoft SQL Server to store user data. It is of prime importance as all the data is stored in this file. The MDF file stores users data in relational databases in the form columns, rows, fields, indexes, views, and tables.

What are SQL MDF and LDF files?

MDF file is the primary file in SQL server database. The LDF is a supporting file. The latter stores the information related to transaction logs. MDF contains database record data. LDF, on the other hand records information related to changes made in the server as well as all the actions performed.