Azure SQL & NoSQL Databases

 ☁️ Azure SQL & NoSQL Databases: Overview

Microsoft Azure offers a range of SQL (relational) and NoSQL (non-relational) database services to support different types of applications and workloads.


🗃️ Azure SQL Databases (Relational)

These databases store data in structured formats—tables with rows and columns, using SQL (Structured Query Language).


🔹 1. Azure SQL Database

Fully managed relational database as a service (DBaaS)


Built on Microsoft SQL Server


Supports T-SQL, stored procedures, and triggers


Use Cases:


Line-of-business apps


Websites


ERP/CRM systems


✅ Benefits:


Scalable with serverless or provisioned models


Built-in high availability, backups, and security


Easy integration with Power BI, Azure Logic Apps


🔹 2. SQL Managed Instance

A hybrid option between Azure SQL Database and SQL Server on-premises


Supports cross-database queries, SQL Agent, and more legacy features


Ideal for: Migrating existing SQL Server applications to Azure with minimal code changes.


🔹 3. SQL Server on Azure VM

Full SQL Server instance on a virtual machine (IaaS model)


Gives full control over OS and database configuration


Use when: You need full customization, OS access, or third-party software.


📦 Azure NoSQL Databases (Non-relational)

These databases are ideal for unstructured or semi-structured data, offering flexibility, high speed, and horizontal scalability.


🔹 1. Azure Cosmos DB

Globally distributed, multi-model NoSQL database


Supports multiple APIs:


Core (SQL) API


MongoDB API


Gremlin (Graph) API


Cassandra API


Table API


Use Cases:


IoT telemetry


Real-time personalization


Shopping cart and session data


Social media feeds


✅ Key Features:


99.999% availability SLA


Low-latency reads/writes


Auto-scaling and global distribution


Multi-master replication


🔹 2. Azure Table Storage

Simple key-value NoSQL store


Ideal for lightweight structured data


Lower cost but fewer features compared to Cosmos DB


Use Cases:


Logs


User metadata


Configuration data


⚖️ SQL vs NoSQL in Azure: Quick Comparison

Feature Azure SQL Database Azure Cosmos DB

Data Structure Structured (tables) Unstructured/Semi-structured

Scalability Vertical & horizontal Horizontally scalable (global)

Query Language T-SQL SQL-like, MongoDB, Cassandra, etc.

Consistency Model Strong Tunable (strong, eventual, etc.)

Latency Low Very low (millisecond response)

Use Case Traditional apps, reports IoT, web apps, real-time data


✅ Conclusion

Azure provides powerful options for both relational (SQL) and non-relational (NoSQL) data needs. Choose:


Azure SQL Database when your data is structured and relational, and you need ACID compliance.


Azure Cosmos DB or Table Storage when your application requires flexibility, scale, and speed for large volumes of diverse or real-time data.

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