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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