doubts about ssms server name : Why we are using dot and can we change that once we are connected and how

Question

I am new to sql server. I just want to know

1. why we are using . in server name in ssms.
2. Can we change the server name .
3. How can we do that?
4. I googled some where and found that we need to add \ and blabla..can somebody pls answer me what is the convintion we are using for server name.

Answer 1

A dot in the server name just a short form for writing the local machine name. You find more about that in this SO question SQL Server Connection Strings - dot(“.”) or “(local)” or “(localdb)”.

You can also use a ip address and more in the server name field.