This document summarizes new features in SQL Server 2016. It discusses improvements to columnstore indexes, in-memory OLTP, the query store, temporal tables, always encrypted, stretch database, live query statistics, row level security, and dynamic data masking. It provides links to documentation and demos for these features. It also suggests what may be included in future CTP releases and lists resources for learning more about SQL Server 2016.

1. SQL 2016 – WHAT’S NEW?
David Cobb
sql@davidcobb.net
Daveslog.com

2. David Cobb
SQLTrainer / Consultant
MCT, MCSE Data Platform for SQL 2012
sql@davidcobb.net
daveslog.com
Presenter
Past Roles:
Tech Support, Network Admin, Web
Developer, DBA
Current:
Systems Architect for CheckAlt.com
Training SQL Since: 2002
FavoriteTechs of the Moment:
PowerShell & Azure

3. WHATWE’LL (TRYTO) COVER:
Database Engine Improvements
 ColumnStore Improvements
 In-Memory OLTP
 Query Store
 TemporalTables
 Always Encrypted
 Stretch Database
 Live Query Statistics
 Row Level Security
 Dynamic Data Masking
SLIDES
DEMOS!
Whirlwind tour

4. WHATWE’LL SKIP
Reporting Improvements
Analysis Services Improvements
Integration Services Improvements
Looking to CTP3 for more soon…
You can find out more at:
http://bit.ly/sql2016-whats-new

5. HOW DO I SQL 2016?
 30 DayAzureTrial!
 MSDN?You get free Azure to learn
and test.
 If you can use fill in a web form
and use Remote Desktop, you can
spin up virtual machines in the
cloud and learn without
downloading or installing.
 Windows 10, Server 10,Visual
Studio 2015 previews are also
available.
 Why not?

6. COLUMNSTORE IMPROVEMENTS
Whitepaper:
http://bit.ly/sql2016-columnstore

7. Columnstore Index Feature
SQL Server
2012
SQL Server
2014
SQL Server
2016 (CTP2)
Azure SQL
Database
Batch execution for multi-threaded queries yes yes yes yes
Batch execution for single-threaded queries yes yes
Archival compression option. yes yes yes
Snapshot isolation and read-committed snapshot isolation yes yes
Specify columnstore index when creating a table. yes yes
AlwaysOn supports columnstore indexes. yes yes yes yes
AlwaysOn readable secondary supports read-only columnstore indexes. yes yes yes yes
AlwaysOn readable secondary supports updateable columnstore indexes. yes
Read-only nonclustered columnstore index on heap or btree. yes yes yes
1
yes
1
Updateable nonclustered columnstore index on heap or btree yes yes
Additional btree indexes allowed on a heap or btree that has a columnstore index. yes yes yes yes
Updateable clustered columnstore index. yes yes yes
Btree index on a clustered columnstore index. yes yes
Columnstore index on a memory-optimized table. Yes!
Nonclustered columnstore index definition supports using a filtered condition. yes yes

8. IN MEMORY OLTP IMPROVEMENTS
Whitepaper:
http://bit.ly/sql2016-in-memory-oltp
Aaron Bertrand Blog:
http://sqlperformance.com/2015/05/sql-server-
2016/in-memory-oltp-enhancements

9. KEY IMPROVEMENTS FOR IN MEMORY OLTP
• Recommended maximum size for in memory table goes from 256MB->2TB
• Collations besides BIN2 allowed for columns in indexes (advised they don't perform as
well)
• ALTERTABLE can be used on memory-optimized tables to add, drop or alter columns, or
to add, drop or rebuild indexes.
• ALTER PROCEDURE can be used on natively compiled stored procedures
• Native compiled procedures allows additional syntax (LEFT JOIN, SELECT DISTINCT,
UNION, all math functions)
• Better scaling with additional sockets
• AlwaysOn replicas see in-memory data changes undelayed.
• Improved garbage collection

10. COLUMNSTORE + IN MEMORY OLTP
= OPERATIONAL ANALYTICS
In-memory, updateable, non-clustered columnstore
index over either disk-based or in-memory tables.
Learn more:
Sunil Agarwal on Data Exposed:
https://channel9.msdn.com/Shows/Data-Exposed/SQL-
Server-2016-Operational-Analytics
Sunil’s Ignite 2015 Presentation:
http://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Ignite/2015/BRK4552

11. QUERY STORE
 Demo
 Best 2016
Feature?

12. TEMPORALTABLES
 Demo
 Look back in time
at your data
 TableTemplates
 Works along with SQL AUDIT
for complete data change history
(WHO,WHAT,WHEN)
 NewTimeTravel SQL Syntax!

13. Source: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn935015%28v=sql.130%29.aspx
Syntax for QueryingTemporal Data
SYNTAX FOR QUERYINGTEMPORAL DATAExpression Qualifying Rows Description
AS OF<date_time> SysStartTime <= date_time AND SysEndTime >
date_time
Returns a table with single record for each row containing the values that were actual (current) at the
specified point in time in the past. Internally, a union is performed between the temporal table and
its history table and the results are filtered to return the values in the row that was valid at the point
in time specified by the <date_time> parameter. The value for a row is deemed valid if
thesystem_start_time_column_name value is less than or equal to the <date_time> parameter value
and thesystem_end_time_column_name value is greater than the <date_time> parameter value.
FROM<start_date_time>TO
<end_date_time>
SysStartTime < end_date_time AND
SysEndTime > start_date_time
Returns a table with the values for all record versions that were active within the specified time range,
regardless of whether they started being active before the <start_date_time> parameter value for the
FROM argument or ceased being active after the<end_date_time> parameter value for the TO
argument. Internally, a union is performed between the temporal table and its history table and the
results are filtered to return the values for all row versions that were active at any time during the
time range specified. Records that became active exactly on the lower boundary defined by the
FROM endpoint are included and records that became active exactly on the upper boundary defined
by the TO endpoint are not included.
BETWEEN<start_date_time
>AND<end_date_time>
SysStartTime <= end_date_time AND
SysEndTime > start_date_time
Same as above in the FOR SYSTEM_TIME FROM <start_date_time>TO <end_date_time>
description, except the table of rows returned includes rows that became active on the upper
boundary defined by the <end_date_time> endpoint.
CONTAINED
IN(<start_date_time> ,
<end_date_time>)
SysStartTime >= start_date_time AND
SysEndTime <= end_date_time
Returns a table with the values for all record versions that were opened and closed within the
specified time range defined by the two datetime values for the CONTAINED IN argument. Records
that became active exactly on the lower boundary or ceased being active exactly on the upper
boundary are included.

14. ALWAYS ENCRYPTED
 Demo
 Data encypted in flight and
at rest
 Better thanTDE, encrypted
for all users, even admins.
 Requires .Net 4.6!
(As does SSMS 2016)
 Source (MSDN Blog):
http://bit.ly/sql2016-always-
encrypted-walkthru

15. STRETCH DATABASE
 Demo
 Interesting solution to
where to put that
historical data
without taking up
valuable disk space or
prolonging backups.
 Queries don’t change,
SQL combines local
and ‘stretched’ data.
 Looking forward to
additional controls
here.

16. LIVE QUERY STATISTICS
 Demo
 Works with debugging!

17. ROW LEVEL SECURITY
 Demo
 Already inV12 version of Azure
SQL Database
 Extremely customizable, granular
control over data access on row
by row level.
 Source: Francesco Cogno Blog
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/frcogno/

18. DYNAMIC DATA MASKING
 Demo
 Already inV12 version of Azure SQL
Database
 Effectively protects sensitive data in
application layer, not effective for
admins or users with SELECT rights.

19. OTHER STUFF
 SELECT * FROMTable FOR JSON AUTO
 PolyBase
 Managed Backup & Backup to Azure Improvements (Backup to Blob)
 MultipleTempDBs upon install
 OnlineALTER COLUMN
 Find out more:
http://bit.ly/sql2016-whats-new-db-engine

20. GUESSES FOR NEXT CTP:
 Bug fixes and feature improvements on CTP2
 PowerBI functionality for onsite SQL Servers?
 R for DataAnalysis
 Mobile Reporting?
 ???

21. RESOURCES
Scott Klein’s Data Exposed series on Channel 9
http://channel9.msdn.com/Shows/Data-Exposed
SQL 2016 Home Page (datasheet, whitepapers)
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/server-
cloud/products/sql-server-2016/
SQL 2016 –What’s New (Books Online)
http://bit.ly/sql2016-whats-new
Slides and link to scripts will be on SQLSaturday site and
daveslog.com

22. QUESTIONS?
SPEAKERS CRAVE FEEDBACK!
sql@davidcobb.net
Please fill out evals!