SQL Server: connecting to a local instance using

Question

In some cases, I saw that the period character (.) Can be used when connecting to an instance of a local SQL server. What is a definition. in this case? Is this documented in BOL?

Answer 1

"The word localhost or period (.) Can be used instead of (local)"

in the "Connecting to a local server" section in [1]

[1]
Creating a valid connection string using TCP / IP SQL Server 2008 R2
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms191260.aspx

Answer 2

Here begins:

http://connect.microsoft.com/SQLServer/feedback/details/126660/local-server-not-found-with-dot-in-dts-import

https://serverfault.com/questions/11745/i-cannot-connect-to-my-local-sql-server-2008