Improving Azure SQL Database reliability with accelerated database recovery in tempdb
We are pleased to announce that in Azure SQL Database, accelerated database recovery is now enabled in the tempdb database to bring instant transaction rollback and aggressive log truncation for transactions in tempdb. The same improvement is coming to SQL Server and Azure SQL Managed Instance.The Microsoft.Build.Sql project SDK is now generally available
Your database should be part of a wholistic development process, where iterative development tools are coupled with automation for validation and deployment. As previously announced, the Microsoft.Build.Sql project SDK provides a cross-platform framework for your database-as-code such that the database obejcts are ready to be checked into source control and deployed via pipelines like any other modern application component. Today Microsoft.Build.Sql enters general availability as another step in the evolution of SQL database development. Standardized SQL database as code SQL projects are a .NET-based project type for SQL objects, compiling a folder of SQL scripts into a database artifact (.dacpac) for manual or continuous deployments. As a developer working with SQL projects, you’re creating the T-SQL scripts that define the objects in the database. While the development framework around SQL projects presents a clear build and deploy process for development, there’s no wrong way to incorporate SQL projects into your development cycle. The SQL objects in the project can be manually written or generated via automation, including through the graphical schema compare interfaces or the SqlPackage extract command. Whether you’re developing with SQL Server, Azure SQL, or SQL in Fabric, database development standardizes on a shared project format and the ecosystem of tooling around SQL projects. The same SQL projects tools, like the SqlPackage CLI, can be used to either deploy objects to a database or update those object scripts from a database. Free development tools for SQL projects, like the SQL database projects extension for VS Code and SQL Server Data Tools in Visual Studio, bring the whole development team together. The database model validation of a SQL project build provides early verification of the SQL syntax used in the project, before code is checked in or deployed. Code analysis for antipatterns that impact database design and performance can be enabled as part of the project build and extended. This code analysis capability adds in-depth feedback to your team’s continuous integration or pre-commit checks as part of SQL projects. Objects in a SQL project are database objects you can have confidence in before they’re deployed across your environments. Evolving from original SQL projects SQL projects converted to the Microsoft.Build.Sql SDK benefit from support for .NET 8, enabling cross-platform development and automation environments. While the original SQL project file format explicitly lists each SQL file, SDK-style projects are significantly simplified by including any .sql file in the SQL projects folder structure. Database references enable SQL projects to be constructed for applications where a single project isn’t an effective representation, whether the database includes cross-database references or multiple development cycles contribute to the same database. Incorporate additional objects into a SQL project with database references through project reference, .dacpac artifact reference, and new to Microsoft.Build.Sql, package references. Package references for database objects improve the agility and manageability of the release cycle of your database through improved visibility to versioning and simplified management of the referenced artifacts. Converting existing projects The Microsoft.Build.Sql project SDK is a superset of the functionality of the original SQL projects, enabling you to convert your current projects on a timeline that works best for you. The original SQL projects in SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) continue to be supported through the Visual Studio lifecycle, providing years of support for your existing original projects. Converting an existing SQL project to a Microsoft.Build.Sql project is currently a manual process to add a single line to the project file and remove several groups of lines. The resulting Microsoft.Build.Sql project file is generally easier to understand and iteratively develop, with significantly fewer merge conflicts than the original SQL projects. A command line tool, DacpacVerify, is now available to validate that your project conversion has completed without degrading the output .dacpac file. By creating a .dacpac before and after you upgrade the project file, you can use DacpacVerify to confirm the database model, database options, pre/post-deployment scripts, and SQLCMD variables match. The road ahead With SQL Server 2025 on the horizon, support for the SQL Server 2025 target platform will be introduced in a future Microsoft.Build.Sql release along with additional improvements to the SDK references. Many Microsoft.Build.Sql releases will coincide with releases to the DacFx .NET library and the SqlPackage CLI with preview releases ahead of general availability releases several times a year. Feature requests and bug reports for the DacFx ecosystem, including Microsoft.Build.Sql, is managed through the GitHub repository. With the v1 GA of Microsoft.Build.Sql, we’re also looking ahead to continued iteration in the development tooling. In Visual Studio, the preview of SDK-style SSDT continues with new features introduced in each Visual Studio release. Plans for Visual Studio include project upgrade assistance in addition to the overall replacement of the existing SQL Server Data Tools. In the SQL projects extension for VS Code, we’re both ensuring SQL projects capabilities from Azure Data Studio are introduced as well as increasing the robustness of the VS Code project build experience. The Microsoft.Build.Sql project SDK empowers database development to integrate with the development cycle, whether you're focused on reporting, web development, AI, or anything else. Use Microsoft.Build.Sql projects to branch, build, commit, and ship your database – get started today from an existing database or with a new project. Get to know SQL projects from the documentation and DevOps samples.Seamless end-to-end SQL Server migration to Azure with Azure Arc
Migrating your on-premises SQL Server to Azure used to require multiple tools and involve several disconnected steps. We have addressed these challenges with an integrated all-in-one migration experience for Arc-enabled SQL Servers. Our new solution eliminates the need for additional software or tools, requiring only Arc-enablement of your SQL Server to complete the entire end-to-end migration journey. We refer to this experience as a journey because the migration process can span several days or even weeks. Our solution manages every step along the way, allowing you the flexibility to pick up where you left off at any time. About the solution The Arc-enabled migration integrates all steps of the migration journey into a single, simple-to-use experience. The solution starts by providing an overview of the benefits of Azure SQL services and modernizing your SQL Server in Azure. It offers continuous automated assessments of your SQL Server databases, providing recommendations for migration to various Azure SQL destinations. Based on these recommendations, an appropriate Azure SQL destination is suggested, tailored to your workload needs. Thereafter, you can choose to provision the recommended Azure SQL service in Azure and start the migration process. Throughout the process, you can monitor the ongoing migrations, evaluate data replicated in Azure, and control the cutover point to Azure according to your business requirements. Figure 1: Integrated Arc enabled end to end migrations experience. Note: Functionality, look and feel of preview product experiences are subject to change. This release is limited to migrating SQL Server databases to Azure SQL Managed Instance only using the link feature as one of the best performing minimum downtime migration solutions. It does not provide other migration options or destinations at this time. Hands-on We love hearing back from our customers! Your participation in the private preview and working with the product group can influence the product roadmap. If you're interested in evaluating your SQL Server workloads for migration to Azure or are ready to migrate, please fill out our application form to request an invitation to the private preview: https://aka.ms/arc-migrations-preview Our product team will select candidates on an ongoing basis based on onboarding capacity. Additional resources Migration overview from SQL Server to Azure SQL Server enabled by Azure ArcAzure Data Studio Retirement
We’re announcing the upcoming retirement of Azure Data Studio (ADS) on February 6, 2025, as we focus on delivering a modern, streamlined SQL development experience. ADS will remain supported until February 28, 2026, giving developers ample time to transition. This decision aligns with our commitment to simplifying SQL development by consolidating efforts on Visual Studio Code (VS Code) with the MSSQL extension, a powerful and versatile tool designed for modern developers. Why Retire Azure Data Studio? Azure Data Studio has been an essential tool for SQL developers, but evolving developer needs and the rise of more versatile platforms like VS Code have made it the right time to transition. Here’s why: Focus on innovation VS Code, widely adopted across the developer community, provides a robust platform for delivering advanced features like cutting-edge schema management and improved query execution. Streamlined tools Consolidating SQL development on VS Code eliminates duplication, reduces engineering maintenance overhead, and accelerates feature delivery, ensuring developers have access to the latest innovations. Why Transition to Visual Studio Code? VS Code is the #1 developer tool, trusted by millions worldwide. It is a modern, versatile platform that meets the evolving demands of SQL and application developers. By transitioning, you gain access to cutting-edge tools, seamless workflows, and an expansive ecosystem designed to enhance productivity and innovation. We’re committed to meeting developers where they are, providing a modern SQL development experience within VS Code. Here’s how: Modern development environment VS Code is a lightweight, extensible, and community-supported code editor trusted by millions of developers. It provides: Regular updates. An active extension marketplace. A seamless cross-platform experience for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Comprehensive SQL features With the MSSQL extension in VS Code, you can: Execute queries faster with filtering, sorting, and export options for JSON, Excel, and CSV. Manage schemas visually with Table Designer, Object Explorer, and support for keys, indexes, and constraints. Connect to SQL Server, Azure SQL (all offerings), and SQL database in Fabric using an improved Connection Dialog. Streamline development with scripting, object modifications, and a unified SQL experience. Optimize performance with an enhanced Query Results Pane and execution plans. Integrate with DevOps and CI/CD pipelines using SQL Database Projects. Stay tuned for upcoming features—we’re continuously building new experiences based on feedback from the community. Make sure to follow the MSSQL repository on GitHub to stay updated and contribute to the project! Streamlined workflow VS Code supports cloud-native development, real-time collaboration, and thousands of extensions to enhance your workflows. Transitioning to Visual Studio Code: What You Need to Know We understand that transitioning tools can raise concerns, but moving from Azure Data Studio (ADS) to Visual Studio Code (VS Code) with the MSSQL extension is designed to be straightforward and hassle-free. Here’s why you can feel confident about this transition: No Loss of Functionality If you use ADS to connect to Azure SQL databases, SQL Server, or SQL database in Fabric, you’ll find that the MSSQL extension supports these scenarios seamlessly. Your database projects, queries, and scripts created in ADS are fully compatible with VS Code and can be opened without additional migration steps. Familiar features, enhanced experience VS Code provides advanced tools like improved query execution, modern schema management, and CI/CD integration. Additionally, alternative tools and extensions are available to replace ADS capabilities like SQL Server Agent and Schema Compare. Cross-Platform and extensible Like ADS, VS Code runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring a consistent experience across operating systems. Its extensibility allows you to adapt it to your workflow with thousands of extensions. If you have further questions or need detailed guidance, visit the ADS Retirement page. The page includes step-by-step instructions, recommended alternatives, and additional resources. Continued Support With the Azure Data Studio retirement, we’re committed to supporting you during this transition: Documentation: Find detailed guides, tutorials, and FAQs on the ADS Retirement page. Community Support: Engage with the active Visual Studio Code community for tips and solutions. You can also explore forums like Stack Overflow. GitHub Issues: If you encounter any issues, submit a request or report bugs on the MSSQL extension’s GitHub repository. Microsoft Support: For critical issues, reach out to Microsoft Support directly through your account. Transitioning to VS Code opens the door to a more modern and versatile SQL development experience. We encourage you to explore the new possibilities and start your journey today! Conclusion Azure Data Studio has served the SQL community well,but the Azure Data Studio retirement marks an opportunity to embrace the modern capabilities of Visual Studio Code. Transitioning now ensures you’re equipped with cutting-edge tools and a future-ready platform to enhance your SQL development experience. For a detailed guide on ADS retirement , visit aka.ms/ads-retirement. To get started with the MSSQL extension, check out the official documentation. We’re excited to see what you build with VS Code!Managed Instance link with SQL Server 2017 is now GA
We are announcing the general availability of Managed Instance link feature with SQL Server 2017, which enables near-real time data replication from SQL Server to Azure SQL Managed Instance. Link feature is now supported in all SQL Server versions in the mainstream and extended support, from SQL Server 2016 to SQL Server 2022. To use Managed Instance link feature SQL Server 2017, customers need to install “Azure Connect Pack for SQL Server 2017”. We recommend the latest version of SQL Server Management Studio to create and manage links with SQL Server 2017. To learn more about SQL Server – SQL Managed Instance hybrid capabilities which link feature unlocks, see the feature documentation page.
Native Windows principals for Azure SQL Managed Instance are now generally available
Today we’re announcing the general availability for Native Windows Principals for Azure SQL Managed Instance. This capability simplifies the migration to Azure SQL Managed Instance and unblock the migration of legacy applications that are tied to windows logins. This feature is crucial for the SQL Managed Instance link. While the Managed Instance link facilitates near real-time data replication between SQL Server and Azure SQL Managed Instance, the read-only replica in the cloud restricts the creation of Microsoft Entra principals. The Windows authentication metadata mode allows customers to use an existing Windows login to authenticate to the replica in the event of a failover With this feature, the following Authentication metadata modes are available for SQL Managed Instance, and the different modes determine which authentication metadata is used for authentication, along with how the login is created: Microsoft Entra (Default): This mode allows authenticating Microsoft Entra users using Microsoft Entra user metadata. In order to use Windows authentication in this mode, see Windows Authentication for Microsoft Entra principals on Azure SQL Managed Instance. Paired (SQL Server default): The default mode for SQL Server authentication. Windows (New Mode): This mode allows authenticating Microsoft Entra users using the Windows user metadata within SQL Managed Instance. The Windows authentication metadata mode is a new mode that allows users to use Windows authentication or Microsoft Entra authentication (using a Windows principal metadata) with Azure SQL Managed Instance. This mode is available for Azure SQL Managed Instance only. The Windows authentication metadata mode isn't available for Azure SQL Database To learn more, please refer to the documentation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/managed-instance/native-windows-principalsIntroducing the Enhanced Azure SQL Database Free Offer: Now Generally Available
We are thrilled to announce the general availability of our new Azure SQL Database free offer. Now, each Azure subscription includes not just one, but 10 serverless databases. Each database comes with a complimentary allocation of 100,000 vCore seconds of compute, 32 GB of data storage, and 32 GB of backup storage every month, for the lifetime of your subscription. This enhanced free offer is ideal for new Azure customers looking to develop for free, learn SQL, or create a proof of concept, as well as existing Azure customers that are considering adding another database. Get started today To learn more about the offer, see Azure SQL Database documentation. If you already have an Azure account, you can head straight to the Azure SQL Database provisioning page and select the Apply offer button in the banner at the top of the page. This offer is now live in all regions! Offer details The Azure SQL Database free offer provides access to the full capabilities of the General Purpose tier, renowned for its versatility and ability to support a wide range of workloads. Whether you're handling routine operations or running high-performance tasks, the free offer empowers you to configure your database from .5 vCore to 4 vCores, scaling up or down based on your needs. You can also benefit from the serverless option, which automatically pauses the database when idle and resumes it as soon as activity starts, reducing compute costs while maximizing your free allocation. With this free offer, every Azure subscription—whether it's pay-as-you-go, under an enterprise agreement, or part of the Microsoft Partner Network—can now include up to 10 serverless databases. The offer is designed to last for the lifetime of your subscription and refreshes monthly, giving each database a generous allocation of 100,000 vCore seconds, 32 GB of data storage, and 32 GB of backup storage, that’s a total of 1 million vCore-seconds of free compute every month per subscription. Once a region is selected for the free database under a subscription, the same region applies to all 10 free databases in that subscription and cannot be changed If you consume your monthly free resources before the end of the cycle, you have two flexible options: Auto-pause: Allow the database to pause itself and resume usage automatically when the next month's free allocation begins. Continue usage mode: Keep the database running and pay for additional usage. In this mode, you’ll continue to receive the free monthly allocation while unlocking premium capabilities, such as scaling up to 80 vCores of compute and 4 terabytes of storage. This makes it easy to start small and scale seamlessly as your business grows. A standout benefit of this free offer is its seamless transition. You can move from free usage to paid usage without any disruption—your data, schema, settings, and connections remain intact. There’s no need to migrate or reconfigure, making it effortless to grow your database as your needs evolve. Additionally, the Azure portal includes 'Free amount remaining' metrics, enabling you to monitor your consumption and manage your costs with ease. This makes the Azure SQL Database free offer an exceptional choice for developers, learners, and enterprises alike—whether you’re just starting out or preparing to scale. Develop for free The Azure SQL Database Free Offer is tailored for a wide range of users—from students and individual developers to small businesses and large enterprises—looking to develop and scale their SQL workloads at no initial cost. This offer enables you to launch up to 10 fully featured Azure SQL database, optimizing both your financial resources and developmental ambitions. Potential Use Cases: Application Development: Initiate the development of applications or websites with SQL as the core backend database. Skill Enhancement: Engage in hands-on SQL learning or refine your existing skills through practical experience and targeted tutorials. Prototyping: Craft proofs of concept or prototypes for innovative projects and ideas. Expansion and Testing: Integrate additional databases into your Azure subscription to facilitate testing or experimentation. Migration Projects: Migrate applications from on-premises setups or other cloud environments to Azure, leveraging its robust capabilities. Leveraging AI with Azure SQL Database Free Offer: Predictive Analytics: Use AI to forecast user behaviors and business outcomes, enhancing decision-making processes across various applications. Personalization Engines: Develop sophisticated personalization algorithms to enhance user experience by tailoring content and recommendations in real-time. Anomaly Detection: Implement AI to detect unusual patterns or potential threats, ensuring the security and integrity of your data. Automated Data Management: Utilize AI to automate data cleaning, transformation, and integration tasks, reducing manual overhead and increasing efficiency. Key Benefits of the Azure SQL Database Free Offer With the Azure SQL Database Free Offer, you gain the advantages of a cloud-native relational database service known for its high availability, stellar performance, security, scalability, and compatibility with SQL Server. Furthermore, you can harness the comprehensive suite of tools and services integrated with Azure SQL Database, such as Azure Data Studio, Visual Studio Code, Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse Analytics, and Power BI. This rich ecosystem enhances your database's functionality and seamlessly connects with your existing workflows. Learn more The Azure SQL Database Free offer is available now and you can start using it today. Don’t miss this opportunity to get up to 10 free Azure SQL databases that can help you achieve your goals and grow your business. To learn more about this offer, visit the Azure SQL Database documentation. To get started, create your free database from the Azure portal by creating an Azure SQL Database resource. We hope you enjoy this new offer, and we look forward to hearing your feedback and seeing what you build with Azure SQL Database.Always Encrypted Assessment and online encryption in SQL Server Management Studio 21
Discover the new Always Encrypted Assessment feature that simplifies the encryption process for your database columns. This powerful tool evaluates your tables and columns, identifying which ones are suitable for encryption and highlighting any that aren't due to data type or constraints. With detailed insights and the ability to export results, this feature streamlines your data protection strategy. Don't miss out on learning how to make the most of this innovative addition to SQL Server Management Studio 21!
