Azure Database Service

Azure provides a wide range of managed and scalable database services for different types of workloads, including relational, NoSQL, and data warehousing. It offers fully managed databases with built-in backup, security, high availability, and scalability. Services include Azure SQL Database for relational workloads, Azure Cosmos DB for globally distributed NoSQL applications, Azure Database for MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MariaDB for open-source database support, and Azure Synapse Analytics for data warehousing and big data analytics.

Types of Data :

Structured

Structured Data is well-organized and stored in relational databases with a fixed schema, allowing easy querying with SQL. Examples include customer records, transaction data, and financial reports stored in SQL databases.

Semi-Structured

Semi-Structured Data falls between structured and unstructured data, using formats like JSON, XML, and YAML. It is commonly used in NoSQL databases such as Azure Cosmos DB and Azure Table Storage, allowing flexible schemas.

Unstructured

Unstructured Data lacks a predefined format and is stored in object storage. Examples include videos, images, emails, and raw logs, typically stored in Azure Blob Storage or Azure Data Lake.

Azure Cosmos DB

Azure Cosmos DB is a globally distributed, multi-model NoSQL database designed for low-latency, high-availability, and elastic scalability. It supports key-value, document, column-family, and graph databases, with multi-region replication and 99.999% availability SLA. It integrates with APIs like MongoDB, Cassandra, and Gremlin, making it ideal for real-time analytics, IoT, and AI-driven applications.

Azure SQL Database

Azure SQL Database is a fully managed, cloud-based relational database service built on Microsoft SQL Server. It provides automatic backups, high availability, built-in security, and AI-powered performance tuning. It supports serverless and Hyperscale models, allowing flexible scaling, and is ideal for enterprise applications, reporting, and transactional processing.

Azure Database for MySQL

Azure Database for MySQL is a managed open-source relational database service that provides automatic patching, scaling, security, and high availability. It supports MySQL Community Edition and features read replicas, performance monitoring, and encryption. It is best suited for web applications, content management systems (CMS), and e-commerce platforms.

Azure Database for PostgreSQL

Azure Database for PostgreSQL is a fully managed PostgreSQL service with built-in scalability, security, and high availability. It supports community-based PostgreSQL extensions and offers flexible deployment options like Single Server, Flexible Server, and Hyperscale (Citus) for distributed workloads. It is ideal for geospatial applications, data analytics, and high-performance computing.

SQL Server on Azure VM

SQL Server on Azure VM provides a lift-and-shift approach for running full SQL Server instances on Azure Virtual Machines. It offers complete control over SQL Server configurations, supports custom maintenance, backup strategies, and hybrid cloud deployments, and is best for applications requiring legacy SQL workloads and on-premises-like environments.

SQL Data Warehousing (Azure Synapse Analytics)

Azure Synapse Analytics, formerly known as Azure SQL Data Warehouse, is a cloud-based analytics service that integrates big data and data warehousing. It enables parallel query execution, massive scalability, and real-time analytics across structured and semi-structured data. It supports Azure Data Lake integration, machine learning, and BI tools, making it ideal for business intelligence, enterprise reporting, and predictive analytics.