SQL server Temporal Tables also called as System-Versioned tables
Explaining Temporal Tables:
Temporal tables in SQL Server are a type of table that allows you to keep track of changes to data over time. When you create a temporal table, you specify two additional columns: a start date column and an end date column. These columns are used to track when a particular row of data was active.
The Advantages of SQL Server Temporal Tables:
SQL Server temporal tables offer several advantages over traditional database tables. Here are some of the key advantages:
Historical Data Tracking: Temporal tables allow you to track changes to data over time, providing a complete history of changes to the data. This can be useful for auditing and compliance purposes, as well as for understanding how data has changed over time.
Simpler Application Logic: Temporal tables can simplify the logic in your application code, as you don’t need to implement complex logic to track changes to data over time. This can make it easier to develop, test, and maintain your application.
Simplified Querying: Temporal tables allow you to query data as it existed at a specific point in time, making it easier to analyse historical trends and identify patterns. This can simplify the querying process, as you don’t need to write complex queries or joins to retrieve historical data.
Data Consistency: Temporal tables can help to ensure data consistency, as you can easily see how data has changed over time and track down any inconsistencies or errors.
Easy Recovery: Temporal tables can simplify the recovery process in the event of data loss or corruption. Because you have a complete history of changes to the data, it’s easier to restore the data to a previous point in time.
Compliance: Temporal tables can help you meet compliance requirements by providing a complete audit trail of changes to your data. This can be particularly important in regulated industries, such as finance or healthcare.
Better Performance: Temporal tables can improve performance in some cases, particularly when dealing with large data sets. This is because the history table is separate from the main table, allowing for faster access to the most recent data.
In summary, SQL Server temporal tables offer a wide range of benefits for organizations looking to manage historical data, simplify application logic, improve performance, and meet compliance requirements. By providing a complete history of changes to data over time, temporal tables can help you make better decisions, and improve data consistency, all while simplifying the querying process and improving collaboration within your organization.