---
title: "What is the SQL Server Agent?"  
description: "What is the SQL Server Agent?"  
author: "Shikhar Arora"  
published: 2019-12-06  
canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/92510/what-is-the-sql-server-agent  
category: "database"  
tags: ["database programming", "database"]  
reading_time: 2 minutes  

---

# What is the SQL Server Agent?

What is the SQL Server Agent

## Answers

### Answer by Harshal Vispute

The **[SQL Server](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/93944/what-are-key-in-sql-server-how-many-types-of-keys-in-sql-server-and-also-define-with-example) Agent** is a **Microsoft [SQL Server](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/93944/what-are-key-in-sql-server-how-many-types-of-keys-in-sql-server-and-also-define-with-example)** component that schedules jobs and does other automated functions. It runs as a **Windows** **service** and can be started manually or automatically when the system boots up. \
**Schedule maintenance** plans manage Reporting **Services subscriptions**, and perform log shipping sub-tasks are all common system tasks (**backup**, **copy**, **restore** & **check**). User chores like scheduling **T-SQL** or command-line statements are also popular. \
**[SQLAgent](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/93944/what-are-key-in-sql-server-how-many-types-of-keys-in-sql-server-and-also-define-with-example)** supports operators and alarms, allowing administrators to be warned through email, for example. \
**[SQL Server Agent](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/93944/what-are-key-in-sql-server-how-many-types-of-keys-in-sql-server-and-also-define-with-example)** stores job information in **SQL Server**. One or more job steps can be found in a job. Each phase has its own set of tasks, such as backing up a database. \
**[SQL Server Agent](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/93944/what-are-key-in-sql-server-how-many-types-of-keys-in-sql-server-and-also-define-with-example)** can conduct a task on-demand, on a schedule, or in reaction to a specific event. You can automate tasks like backing up all of the corporate servers every weekday after hours, for example. Monday through Friday, set the backup to run after 22:00. **[SQL](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/93944/what-are-key-in-sql-server-how-many-types-of-keys-in-sql-server-and-also-define-with-example)****[Server Agent](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/93944/what-are-key-in-sql-server-how-many-types-of-keys-in-sql-server-and-also-define-with-example)** can record and warn you if the backup encounters a problem. \
**[SQL Server Agent](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/93944/what-are-key-in-sql-server-how-many-types-of-keys-in-sql-server-and-also-define-with-example)** is a **Microsoft Windows** service that runs SQL Server jobs, which are scheduled **administration** activities. \
An operator specifies the contact details for a person who is responsible for the upkeep of one or more **[SQL Server](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/93944/what-are-key-in-sql-server-how-many-types-of-keys-in-sql-server-and-also-define-with-example)** instances. Operator tasks are given to one person in some businesses. Many people can share operator responsibilities in businesses with multiple servers. An operator does not define a security principle and does not contain security information.


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Original Source: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/92510/what-is-the-sql-server-agent

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