Features that are new in sql server 2016

SQL Server 2016, also known as SQL Server Denali, was released in June 2016. It introduced several new features that improved performance, security, and functionality. Here are some of the key new features in SQL Server 2016:

  1. AlwaysOn Availability Groups: This feature allows you to create a high-availability database that can automatically switch to a standby server in case of a failure.
  2. Row-Level Security (RLS): RLS allows you to control access to data at the row level, based on the user's identity or other conditions.
  3. Dynamic Data Masking (DDM): DDM allows you to mask sensitive data, such as credit card numbers or social security numbers, to prevent unauthorized access.
  4. Temporal Tables: Temporal tables allow you to store historical data and track changes to data over time.
  5. JSON Support: SQL Server 2016 introduced support for JSON data types, allowing you to store and query JSON data.
  6. PolyBase: PolyBase is a feature that allows you to query data from external sources, such as Hadoop, Azure Blob Storage, and Azure Data Lake Store.
  7. Columnstore Indexes: Columnstore indexes are designed for analytical workloads and can improve query performance by up to 10x.
  8. In-Memory OLTP (In-Memory Optimization): In-Memory OLTP allows you to store frequently accessed data in memory, improving performance and reducing latency.
  9. Query Store: Query Store is a feature that allows you to track and analyze query performance, helping you identify bottlenecks and optimize queries.
  10. Power BI Integration: SQL Server 2016 introduced integration with Power BI, allowing you to easily publish reports and dashboards to Power BI.
  11. Azure Integration: SQL Server 2016 introduced tighter integration with Azure, including support for Azure Active Directory, Azure Blob Storage, and Azure Data Factory.
  12. Improved Performance: SQL Server 2016 includes several performance improvements, including faster query execution, improved indexing, and better support for parallel processing.
  13. Enhanced Security: SQL Server 2016 includes several security enhancements, including improved encryption, secure authentication, and better support for compliance with regulatory requirements.
  14. Support for Windows Server 2016: SQL Server 2016 is compatible with Windows Server 2016, which provides improved security, networking, and storage features.
  15. Support for Linux: SQL Server 2016 is the first version of SQL Server to support Linux, allowing you to run SQL Server on Linux distributions such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Ubuntu.

These are just a few of the many new features and improvements in SQL Server 2016. If you're interested in learning more, I recommend checking out the official Microsoft documentation or attending a training session.