Microsoft has made SQL Server 2022 generally available. Several developments are to be noted, in particular a strong interweaving with the Azure cloud.
The 2022 version of Microsoft’s DBMS, SQL Server, is moving to GA mode (general availability). The Redmond firm announced it at the PASS (Professional Association for SQL Server) Community Summit held recently in Seattle. It succeeds SQL Server 2019, released just over three years ago.
Several developments are to be noted in the database with a predominance around the Azure cloud. So, as part of a PRA, SQL server will switch to Azure SQL Managed Instance. In addition, there is specific integration with Azure Synapse – a datawarehouse and data analysis service that includes Apache Spark – and Azure Purview, for data classification and protection. Still on this last point, SQL Server 2022 supports the AWS S3 API, which is also supported by other storage providers. Users can build scenarios for backing up and restoring to S3.
Another cloud-related feature is an optional billing model based on Azure Arc (hybrid cloud platform), which is now part of the SQL Server 2022 setup process. Azure Arc is able to manage SQL Server from Azure, as well as use Azure services such as log analysis and Azure defender. Users can pay by the hour, increasing consumption during peak loads and decreasing it during off-peak periods.
Accelerate queries and improve the T-SQL language
Performances have been improved such as T-SQL, the SQL Server query language. It includes additional functions around JSON (JavaScript Object Notation), bit manipulations like LEFT_SHIFT and GET_BIT or time series. Additionally, it includes a new IS DISTINCT FROM expression that simplifies the handling of null values in Boolean expressions.
Query optimization is also on the agenda with Query Store. The feature, which captures query history and tunes performance, is now enabled by default. It was previously disabled due to a slight performance impact. Through these various developments and improvements, Microsoft hopes to consolidate its installed base in the face of increasingly strong competition in the field of databases, particularly from cloud players such as AWS or Google Cloud.