Temporal Tables Automate Tracking Changes

SQL Server 2016 introduces a new type of table, called a temporal table. These tables automatically record data changes and the system date and time to provide a stronger audit trail to meet regulatory requirements than previous solutions. It also reduces the need for custom programming and third-party solutions that are often expensive to deploy and maintain and consume resources. The feature supports most column types and table features with some limitations, and most tables can be converted to a temporal table without impact to existing applications.

Tracking Data Changes

Many organizations spend considerable effort to track changes to business data, primarily for compliance and analysis of data changes over time. Traditional tracking solutions typically involve complex custom programming or third-party tools that are often difficult to validate and carry high costs and maintenance.

Temporal table support is built into the SQL Server database engine and could significantly simplify tracking data changes with minimal impact to existing databases and applications. The feature provides the ability to query the state of data at a particular point in time and to compare the state of data between time points without having to store multiple copies of the database or write custom code to track the changes.