Microsoft SQL Server
Get the flexibility you need to use integrated solutions, apps, and innovations in technology with your data—wherever it lives — in the cloud, on-premises, or at the edge.
About Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database management system, with SQL Server 2025 as the current version. It includes built-in AI capabilities such as semantic search combined with full-text search and filtering, vector embedding, and integration with LangChain, Semantic Kernel, and Entity Framework Core, alongside support for locally or cloud-deployed AI models. Developer-facing features include native JSON data type, indexing, and functions, connectivity to REST interfaces, Regular Expression querying, and change event streaming for event-driven applications.
The product integrates with Azure, offering replication of SQL Server data to Microsoft OneLake via database mirroring in Fabric, centralized management and disaster recovery through Azure Arc, and pay-as-you-go licensing. Security features include authentication via Microsoft Entra Managed Identity, integration with Microsoft Defender for Cloud, automatic patching, Extended Security Updates, and governance through Microsoft Purview.
SQL Server is distributed in multiple editions: Enterprise, for Tier 1 mission-critical workloads with the full feature set; Standard, for mid-tier applications with an upgrade path to Enterprise without code changes; Developer, a free edition with Enterprise/Standard features restricted to non-production use; and Express, a free entry-level edition for small applications with databases up to 50 GB. Software Assurance, a Volume Licensing benefit program, provides fail-over rights, unlimited virtualization for Enterprise edition, license mobility, and rights to purchase extended security updates.
Key features
- Built-in AI with vector embeddings, semantic search, and LangChain/Semantic Kernel/Entity Framework Core integration
- Native JSON data type, indexing, and functions
- Change event streaming for real-time, event-driven apps
- Database mirroring to Microsoft OneLake in Fabric for near-real-time analytics
- Centralized management, security, and automation via Azure Arc
- Authentication through Microsoft Entra Managed Identity
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free edition of SQL Server?
Yes, the Developer edition is free for non-production use with full Enterprise/Standard features, and the Express edition is free for small databases up to 50 GB.
What languages and tools does SQL Server integrate with?
It supports Transact-SQL (T-SQL) and integrates with LangChain, Semantic Kernel, and Entity Framework Core for AI application development.
How is SQL Server licensed?
It offers simple pricing across editions plus flexible pay-as-you-go licensing enabled via Azure Arc, and Software Assurance is available as a Volume Licensing benefit for perpetual licenses.
Who is SQL Server for?
It targets developers and enterprises building mission-critical, AI-enabled data applications, with editions ranging from small web/mobile apps (Express) to Tier 1 enterprise workloads (Enterprise).
Can SQL Server run in hybrid or multicloud environments?
Yes, Azure Arc enables centralized management, security, disaster recovery, and read scale-out to Azure SQL across on-premises and multicloud deployments.
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