What are triggers in SQL Server?

In SQL Server, a trigger is a special type of stored procedure that automatically executes when specific database operations (such as INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE) occur. Triggers are commonly used to enforce data integrity constraints, audit trails, automation tasks, and other functions. Triggers can be created at the table or view level, and can be set to execute either before or after data insertion, updating, or deletion operations. Triggers can be AFTER triggers or INSTEAD OF triggers, and the specific execution logic depends on how the trigger is defined.