What are the Feature Differences Among SQL Server Versions?

Feature Differences Among SQL Server Versions

Below is a comparison of key features introduced or enhanced in SQL Server 2016, SQL Server 2017, SQL Server 2019, and SQL Server 2022:

SQL Server 2016

Release Date: June 1, 2016

1. Key Features:
   • Always Encrypted: Enhances data security by encrypting sensitive data at the client-side.
   • Row-Level Security (RLS): Restricts access to specific rows based on user roles.
   • Dynamic Data Masking (DDM): Masks sensitive data for non-privileged users.
   • Query Store: Stores query execution history for performance troubleshooting.
   • Temporal Tables: Tracks changes over time in tables for historical data analysis.
   • PolyBase: Enables querying of Hadoop or Azure Blob Storage data directly from T-SQL.
   • JSON Support: Allows parsing and formatting of JSON data.
   • Stretch Database: Moves cold data to Azure automatically for cost-efficient storage.
2. Performance Improvements:
   • In-Memory OLTP enhancements.
   • Enhanced Columnstore Index performance.

SQL Server 2017

Release Date: October 2, 2017

1. Key Features:
   • Cross-Platform Support: Introduced Linux compatibility, making SQL Server available on Windows and Linux.
   • Graph Database: Enables modeling of many-to-many relationships using graph nodes and edges.
   • Python Integration: Supports Python scripts for machine learning and analytics.
   • Resumable Online Index Rebuild: Allows pausing and resuming index rebuilds.
   • Automatic Database Tuning: Provides performance tuning recommendations and automates fixes.
2. Performance Enhancements:
   • Adaptive Query Processing (AQPs): Improves query performance dynamically.
   • Batch Mode Adaptive Joins: Enhances execution plans for large datasets.

SQL Server 2019

Release Date: November 4, 2019

1. Key Features:
   • Big Data Clusters: Integrates SQL Server with Apache Spark and Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS).
   • Intelligent Query Processing (IQP): Includes features like batch mode on rowstore, memory grant feedback, and scalar UDF inlining.
   • Java Integration: Enables execution of Java code from within SQL Server.
   • Data Virtualization: Query external data sources such as Oracle, MongoDB, or other SQL Servers without moving data.
   • UTF-8 Support: Provides native support for UTF-8 encoding.
2. Security Enhancements:
   • Always Encrypted with Secure Enclaves: Extends Always Encrypted to support more operations.
   • Transparent Data Encryption (TDE): Enhanced for better performance.
3. PolyBase Enhancements:
   • Supports querying more data sources like Oracle, Teradata, MongoDB, and others.

SQL Server 2022

Release Date: November 16, 2022

1. Key Features:
   • Cloud Integration:
     • Azure Synapse Link: Real-time data synchronization between SQL Server and Azure Synapse Analytics.
     • Azure Purview Integration: Improves data governance by cataloging on-premises data.
   • Intelligent Performance:
     • Query Store enhancements for better query tuning.
     • Parameter Sensitive Plan Optimization: Addresses performance issues with parameter sniffing.
   • Ledger: Provides tamper-evidence to ensure data integrity.
   • Built-in Data Analytics: Integrates analytics with minimal performance overhead.
   • TempDB Metadata Optimization: Reduces contention in highly concurrent workloads.
2. Security Enhancements:
   • Integrated Microsoft Defender for improved security monitoring.
   • Simplified TDE Management: Enhancements for ease of Transparent Data Encryption configuration.
3. Performance Enhancements:
   • Continued improvements in Adaptive Query Processing and Intelligent Query Processing.

Feature Summary Table

Feature	SQL Server 2016	SQL Server 2017	SQL Server 2019	SQL Server 2022
Always Encrypted	✅	✅	✅	✅
Row-Level Security (RLS)	✅	✅	✅	✅
JSON Support	✅	✅	✅	✅
PolyBase	✅	Enhanced	Enhanced	Azure Synapse Link
Cross-Platform (Linux)	❌	✅	✅	✅
Big Data Clusters	❌	❌	✅	✅
Graph Database	❌	✅	✅	✅
UTF-8 Support	❌	❌	✅	✅
Azure Integration	Limited	Limited	Limited	Extensive
Query Store	✅	✅	Enhanced	Enhanced
Intelligent Query Processing	❌	✅	✅	Enhanced
Secure Enclaves	❌	❌	✅	✅
Ledger	❌	❌	❌	✅

Choosing the Right Version

• SQL Server 2016: Best for organizations focused on security and performance improvements without big data needs.
• SQL Server 2017: Ideal for organizations requiring cross-platform support or advanced analytics with Python.
• SQL Server 2019: Suitable for businesses looking to integrate big data and machine learning features.
• SQL Server 2022: The best choice for enterprises seeking seamless integration with Azure and the latest security and performance features.