Azure & DevOps Podcast

Ryan Booz: The State of the Database in 2025 - Episode 333

Jan 20, 2025

Ryan Booz, a PostgreSQL advocate with over 20 years of experience, dives into the evolution of databases. He discusses the crucial role of generalist developers in 2025 and the challenges of integrating different databases. The conversation touches on the future of Microsoft Fabric and how .NET developers can effectively transition to Postgres. Insights into migrating from SQL Server, the innovative edge of Postgres, and the significance of vector databases and indexing also make for a captivating listen.

40:52

Creator website

Episode guests

Ryan Booz

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Ryan Booz emphasizes the growing importance of specializing in databases like PostgreSQL as technology evolves, especially with integration challenges among various database types.

The podcast discusses the significant impact of cloud-based solutions and innovations like Microsoft Fabric in simplifying data management for developers.

Deep dives

The Evolution of Database Specialization

The speaker discusses their journey into database specialization, which began with a shift from teaching to technology in the late 90s. Initially focusing on MySQL, the speaker became fascinated by relational databases and their complex functionalities, leading to a long career in database management. A pivotal moment came during a conference that illuminated the intricacies of SQL Server's query planning, sparking a deeper interest in the field. This passion for understanding databases continues to drive their work, emphasizing the importance of specialists in an environment where many seek a generalist approach.

Intro

3min

Journey Through Database Management

19min

Navigating Postgres Integration for .NET Developers

5min

Revolutionizing Local Data Storage

9min

Understanding Vector Databases and their Indexing Innovations

4min

Ryan is an Advocate at Redgate focusing on PostgreSQL. Ryan has been working as a PostgreSQL advocate, developer, DBA, and product manager for over 20 years, primarily working with time-series data on PostgreSQL and the Microsoft Data Platform.

Ryan is a long-time DBA, starting with MySQL and Postgres in the late ’90s. He spent more than 15 years working with SQL Server before returning to PostgreSQL full-time in 2018. He’s at the top of his game when learning something new about the data platform or teaching others about the technology he loves.

Topics of Discussion:

[4:10] What made Ryan a database guy?

[6:11] CodeMash.

[6:58] Discovering the potential of SQL Server.

[12:02] The state of the database in 2025 and the things generalist developers should know.

[15:27] The challenge of interfacing between database types.

[19:57] Is Microsoft Fabric the future?

[22:44] Postgres for .NET developers.

[24:46] Nuances of migrating from SQL Server to Postgres.

[26:01] Postgres resources for data professionals.

[35:29] Postgres and its innovative edge.

[38:30] What is a vector database?