The Evolution of SQL Server

This chapter traces the history of SQL Server from its mid-90s origins to its current status as a leader in enterprise database solutions. It highlights key developments, integration with modern technologies, and the importance of innovation in maintaining its competitive edge.

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Bob Ward is a Principal Architect for the Microsoft Azure Data team, which owns the development for Microsoft SQL Edge to Cloud. Bob has worked for Microsoft for 30-plus years on every version of SQL Server shipped from OS/2 1.1 to SQL Server 2022, including Azure SQL. Bob is a well-known speaker on SQL Server, Azure SQL, AI, and Microsoft Fabric, often presenting talks on new releases, internals, and specialized topics at events such as SQLBits, Microsoft Build, Microsoft Ignite, PASS Summit, DevIntersection, and VS Live. You can also learn Azure SQL from him on the popular series aka.ms/azuresql4beginners. You can follow him at @bobwardms or linkedin.com/in/bobwardms. Bob is the author of the books Pro SQL Server on Linux, SQL Server 2019 Revealed, Azure SQL Revealed, and SQL Server 2022 Revealed, available from Apress Media.

Topics of Discussion:

[4:22] Bob’s long history with Microsoft and the evolution of SQL Server.

[6:41] What are the big use cases that SQL Server can now do?

[7:38] Beyond RDBMS framework.

[9:34] Building innovation off an already trusted brand.

[9:50] What’s the vision of AI on SQL Server?

[10:51] It’s all about smarter searching.

[14:26] AI assistance features in SQL Server, such as the SQL Copilot and natural language to SQL query generation.

[16:02] Hybrid searching.

[19:41] Challenges and opportunities in AI Integration.

[20:43] Content moderation is now being added to the loop.

[22:39] The categories of different models.