Difference Between Database Mail Profile and SQL Server Agent Operator in MS SQL Server

Question

I have configured Database Mail profile with several accounts. In the SQL Server Agent Properties I've enabled my profile.

If I specify whom to send email with Database Mail profile, why do I need to use Operators which are provided by the Agent? What is their difference?

Thanks for your time.

Answer 1

I believe Database Mail profiles are purely for the set up of what mail server to use and what email address the emails appear to be sent from.

SQL Server Agent Operators are essentially user(s) who are able to receive notifications of job statuses, effectively the receivers of email.

So Database Mail is for sending email, Operators is for receiving email.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/relational-databases/database-mail/configure-database-mail?view=sql-server-2017

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/ssms/agent/operators?view=sql-server-2017

Note on this link https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/relational-databases/database-mail/configure-sql-server-agent-mail-to-use-database-mail?view=sql-server-2017 it discusses setting up Database Mail for use in SQL Server Agent and it lists setting up the operators as a follow up task.