F

filegroups

In SQL Server, a named collection of one or more files that forms a single unit of allocation. Also for administration of a database.

FILLFACTOR

An attribute of an index that defines the amount of free space allotted to each page of the index. FILLFACTOR can be used to allocate space for future expansion. FILLFACTOR is a value from 1 through 100 that specifies the percentage of the index page to be left empty.

filter

A set of criteria that controls the set of records returned as a resultset. Filters can also define the sequence in which rows are returned.

Foreign Key

A column or multiple columns whose values match the Primary Key of another table. Foreign Keys help in the relational process between two entities by connecting the foreign attribute in the child entity to a Primary Key in a parent entity.

fragmentation

Occurs when data modifications are made. You can reduce fragmentation and improve read-ahead performance by dropping and re-creating a clustered index.

FROM

The FROM part of the SELECT statement specifies the tables being accessed. Specifying what tables are being accessed is compulsory for any SELECT data retrieval statement.

Full-Text catalog

A Full-Text catalog is a special storage space used to house Full-Text indexes. By default, all Full-Text indexes are housed in a single catalog.

Full-Text index

A special index that efficiently tracks the words you're looking for in a table. They help in enabling special searching functions that differ from those used in regular indexes.