SQL Server 2025 Unveiled
Description
Unveil the data platform of the future with SQL Server 2025-guided by one of its key architects .
With built-in AI for application development and advanced analytics powered by Microsoft Fabric, SQL Server 2025 empowers you to innovate-securely and confidently. This book shows you how.
Author Bob Ward, Principal Architect for the Microsoft Azure Data team, shares exclusive insights drawn from over three decades at Microsoft. Having worked on every version of SQL Server since OS/2 1.1, Ward brings unmatched expertise and practical guidance to help you navigate this transformative release.
Ward covers everything from setup and upgrades to advanced features in performance, high availability, and security. He also highlights what makes this the most developer-friendly release in a decade: support for JSON, RegEx, REST APIs, and event streaming.
Most critically, Ward explores SQL Server 2025's advanced, scalable AI integrations, showing you how to build AI-powered applications deeply integrated with the SQL engine-and elevate your analytics to the next level. But innovation doesn't come at the cost of safety: this release is built on a foundation of enterprise-grade security, helping you adopt AI safely and responsibly. You control which models to use, how they interact with your data, and where they run-from ground to cloud, or integrated with Microsoft Fabric. With built-in features like Row-Level Security (RLS), Transparent Data Encryption (TDE), Dynamic Data Masking, and SQL Server Auditing, your data remains protected at every layer.
The AI age is here. Make sure your SQL Server databases are ready-and built for secure, scalable innovation .
What You Will Learn
· Grasp the fundamentals of AI to leverage AI with your data, using the industry-proven security and scale of SQL Server
· Utilize AI models of your choice, services, and frameworks to build new AI applications
· Explore new developer features such as JSON, Regular Expressions, REST API, and Change Event Streaming
· Discover SQL Server 2025's powerful new engine capabilities to increase application concurrency
· Examine new high availability features to enhance uptime and diagnose complex HADR configurations
· Use new query processing capabilities to extend the performance of your application
· Connect SQL Server to Azure with Arc for advanced management and security capabilities
· Secure and govern your data using Microsoft Entra
· Achieve near-real-time analytics with the unified data platform Microsoft Fabric
· Integrate AI capabilities with SQL Server for enterprise AI
· Leverage new tools such as SQL Server Management Studio and Copilot experiences to assist your SQL Server journey
Who This Book Is For
The SQL Server community, including DBAs, architects, and developers eager to stay ahead with the latest advancements in SQL Server 2025, and those interested in the intersection of AI and data, particularly how artificial intelligence (AI) can be seamlessly integrated with SQL Server to unlock deeper insights and smarter solutions
Reviews / Votes
"Bob connects the technical to the practical. In SQL Server 2025 Revealed, Bob does more than just document what's new. He gives us a roadmap for applying new capabilities to real-world problems. Most importantly, he reminds us that even as the tools evolve, the heart of relational database workloads continues to be rooted in security, resilience, performance, and developer-friendly experiences." (Shireesh Thota, Corporate Vice President, Databases, Microsoft)
"Every SQL Server release feels like a milestone, and Bob Ward's book on SQL Server 2025 makes it even more special. This isn't just another technical manual; it's a conversation with someone who's been at the heart of SQL Server's evolution for decades. Bob takes you beyond the features to share the story behind the product: the debates, the decisions, and the journey that shaped this release." (Pam Lahoud, Principal Program Manager, Microsoft)
"Like chatting with a friend who knows SQL inside out. Bob Ward turns complex problems into clear, actionable insights with stories and lessons baked in." (Anna Hoffman, Principal Group Product Manager, Microsoft)
"A must-read for every SQL database professional. Includes scripts and examples for hands-on learners, plus foundational chapters on AI and engine improvements." (Erin Stellato, Principal Program Manager, Microsoft)
"Turns complexity into confidence. SQL Server 2025 Unveiled doesn't just explain features-it empowers you to use them. From AI-driven indexing to hybrid cloud strategies, Bob Ward gives you the clarity and confidence to innovate." (Kendra Little, Principal Program Manager, Microsoft)
"The guide I wish every team had on day one. SQL Server 2025 Unveiled explains the why behind the release and gets straight to the how-from AI-ready patterns and vector search to practical performance and security tips." (Ben Weissman, Data Platform MVP)
"An excellent job of covering new features and the why behind them. From vector search to event-driven architectures, Bob's deep expertise educates readers at every level." (Joey D'Antoni, Microsoft Data Platform & Azure MVP)
"Bob's superpower? Making complex concepts crystal clear. From AI capabilities and Azure Arc integration to ground-to-cloud solutions, this book is your roadmap to the future of SQL Server." (Anthony Nocentino, Data Platform MVP & Senior Principal Field Solution Architect, Pure Storage)
"Bob Ward brings clarity to the cutting edge of database technology. He guides readers step-by-step through SQL Server 2025's powerful new features, giving them the tools to tackle real-world challenges with confidence." (Andy Yun)
"Surprising depth and readability. This guide covers installs, configs, licensing, and hidden gems-plus history, product team stories, and customer anecdotes." (Mike Harding, Manager, Microsoft and Industry Solutions, Hewlett Packard Enterprise)
More details
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Bob Ward is a Principal Architect for the Microsoft Azure Data team, overseeing the development of Microsoft SQL from ground to cloud to fabric. With more than 31 years at Microsoft, Bob has contributed to every version of SQL Server, from OS/2 1.1 to SQL Server 2022, including Azure SQL and SQL database in Fabric. A renowned speaker on SQL Server, Azure SQL, AI, and Microsoft Fabric, Bob frequently presents on new releases, internals, and specialized topics at events such as SQLBits, Microsoft Build, Microsoft Ignite, PASS Summit, Fabric Community Conference, and VS Live. Bob is the author of several Apress books, including Pro SQL Server on Linux , SQL Server 2019 Revealed , Azure SQL Revealed , SQL Server 2022 Revealed , and Azure SQL Revealed, 2nd Edition.
Content
1. The AI-Ready Enterprise Database.- 2. Ready, Set, Go.- 3. AI Fundamentals.- 4. AI Built-in.- 5. The Modern SQL Developers, Developers, Developers.- 6. Connecting to the Cloud with Azure Arc.- 7. The Core Engine of SQL Server 2025.- 8. Integrating SQL Server 2025 with Microsoft Fabric.- 9. Microsoft SQL Ground.
