Azure SQL Database

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Azure SQL Database (formerly called SQL Azure Database and Windows Azure SQL Database) provides a cloud-based relational database service hosted in Microsoft’s data centers.

Azure SQL Database Overview

Azure SQL Database is a multitenant relational database service hosted in Azure. The service offers many of the most common features and APIs of on-premises SQL Server database management systems, including support for the T-SQL query language and popular development tools.

The service is designed for organizations seeking a lower-cost solution than a full SQL Server deployment or for use with applications that have variable capacity requirements, such as online retail sales, or external-facing requirements, such as sharing data with off-site users. The service provides quick deployment and easy scalability and management, but it has limited database sizes and lacks some business intelligence (BI) services, as compared to SQL Server.

The cost of the service includes an hourly charge for each database (at the performance level chosen), storage, automated backups, and high-availability. Customers should expect additional charges for optional disaster recovery, excess backup storage, and outbound network traffic.

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