Bob Ward – författare

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 ForThe 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

Get SQL Server up and running on the Linux operating system and containers. No database professional managing or developing SQL Server on Linux will want to be without this deep and authoritative guide by one of the most respected experts on SQL Server in the industry. Get an inside look at how SQL Server for Linux works through the eyes of an engineer on the team that made it possible.Microsoft SQL Server is one of the leading database platforms in the industry, and SQL Server 2017 offers developers and administrators the ability to run a database management system on Linux, offering proven support for enterprise-level features and without onerous licensing terms. Organizations invested in Microsoft and open source technologies are now able to run a unified database platform across all their operating system investments. Organizations are further able to take full advantage of containerization through popular platforms such as Docker and Kubernetes. Pro SQL Server on Linux walks you through installing and configuring SQL Server on the Linux platform. The author is one of the principal architects of SQL Server for Linux, and brings a corresponding depth of knowledge that no database professional or developer on Linux will want to be without. Throughout this book are internals of how SQL Server on Linux works including an in depth look at the innovative architecture.The book covers day-to-day management and troubleshooting, including diagnostics and monitoring, the use of containers to manage deployments, and the use of self-tuning and the in-memory capabilities. Also covered are performance capabilities, high availability, and disaster recovery along with security and encryption. The book covers the product-specific knowledge to bring SQL Server and its powerful features to life on the Linux platform, including coverage of containerization through Docker and Kubernetes.What You'll LearnLearn about the history and internal of the unique SQL Server on Linux architecture.Install and configure Microsoft’s flagship database product on the Linux platformManage your deployments using container technology through Docker and KubernetesKnow the basics of building databases, the T-SQL language, and developing applications against SQL Server on LinuxUse tools and features to diagnose, manage, and monitor SQL Server on LinuxScale your application by learning the performance capabilities of SQL ServerDeliver high availability and disaster recovery to ensure business continuitySecure your database from attack, and protect sensitive data through encryptionTake advantage of powerful features such as Failover Clusters, Availability Groups, In-Memory Support, and SQL Server’sSelf-Tuning EngineLearn how to migrate your database from older releases of SQL Server and other database platforms such as Oracle and PostgreSQLBuild and maintain schemas, and perform management tasks from both GUI and command lineWho This Book Is ForDevelopers and IT professionals who are new to SQL Server and wish to configure it on the Linux operating system. This book is also useful to those familiar with SQL Server on Windows who want to learn the unique aspects of managing SQL Server on the Linux platform and Docker containers. Readers should have a grasp of relational database concepts and be comfortable with the SQL language.

Get SQL Server up and running on the Linux operating system and containers. No database professional managing or developing SQL Server on Linux will want to be without this deep and authoritative guide by one of the most respected experts on SQL Server in the industry. Get an inside look at how SQL Server for Linux works through the eyes of an engineer on the team that made it possible.Microsoft SQL Server is one of the leading database platforms in the industry, and SQL Server 2017 offers developers and administrators the ability to run a database management system on Linux, offering proven support for enterprise-level features and without onerous licensing terms. Organizations invested in Microsoft and open source technologies are now able to run a unified database platform across all their operating system investments. Organizations are further able to take full advantage of containerization through popular platforms such as Docker and Kubernetes. Pro SQL Server on Linux walks you through installing and configuring SQL Server on the Linux platform. The author is one of the principal architects of SQL Server for Linux, and brings a corresponding depth of knowledge that no database professional or developer on Linux will want to be without. Throughout this book are internals of how SQL Server on Linux works including an in depth look at the innovative architecture.The book covers day-to-day management and troubleshooting, including diagnostics and monitoring, the use of containers to manage deployments, and the use of self-tuning and the in-memory capabilities. Also covered are performance capabilities, high availability, and disaster recovery along with security and encryption. The book covers the product-specific knowledge to bring SQL Server and its powerful features to life on the Linux platform, including coverage of containerization through Docker and Kubernetes.What You''ll LearnLearn about the history and internal of the unique SQL Server on Linux architecture.Install and configure Microsoft’s flagship database product on the Linux platformManage your deployments using container technology through Docker and KubernetesKnow the basics of building databases, the T-SQL language, and developing applications against SQL Server on LinuxUse tools and features to diagnose, manage, and monitor SQL Server on LinuxScale your application by learning the performance capabilities of SQL ServerDeliver high availability and disaster recovery to ensure business continuitySecure your database from attack, and protect sensitive data through encryptionTake advantage of powerful features such as Failover Clusters, Availability Groups, In-Memory Support, and SQL Server’sSelf-Tuning EngineLearn how to migrate your database from older releases of SQL Server and other database platforms such as Oracle and PostgreSQLBuild and maintain schemas, and perform management tasks from both GUI and command lineWho This Book Is ForDevelopers and IT professionals who are new to SQL Server and wish to configure it on the Linux operating system. This book is also useful to those familiar with SQL Server on Windows who want to learn the unique aspects of managing SQL Server on the Linux platform and Docker containers. Readers should have a grasp of relational database concepts and be comfortable with the SQL language. 

Get up to speed on the game-changing developments in SQL Server 2019. No longer just a database engine, SQL Server 2019 is cutting edge with support for machine learning (ML), big data analytics, Linux, containers, Kubernetes, Java, and data virtualization to Azure. This is not a book on traditional database administration for SQL Server. It focuses on all that is new for one of the most successful modernized data platforms in the industry. It is a book for data professionals who already know the fundamentals of SQL Server and want to up their game by building their skills in some of the hottest new areas in technology.SQL Server 2019 Revealed begins with a look at the project's team goal to integrate the world of big data with SQL Server into a major product release. The book then dives into the details of key new capabilities in SQL Server 2019 using a “learn by example” approach for Intelligent Performance, security, mission-criticalavailability, and features for the modern developer. Also covered are enhancements to SQL Server 2019 for Linux and gain a comprehensive look at SQL Server using containers and Kubernetes clusters.The book concludes by showing you how to virtualize your data access with Polybase to Oracle, MongoDB, Hadoop, and Azure, allowing you to reduce the need for expensive extract, transform, and load (ETL) applications. You will then learn how to take your knowledge of containers, Kubernetes, and Polybase to build a comprehensive solution called Big Data Clusters, which is a marquee feature of 2019. You will also learn how to gain access to Spark, SQL Server, and HDFS to build intelligence over your own data lake and deploy end-to-end machine learning applications.What You Will LearnImplement Big Data Clusters with SQL Server, Spark, and HDFSCreate a Data Hub with connections to Oracle, Azure, Hadoop, and other sourcesCombine SQL and Spark to build a machine learning platform for AI applicationsBoost your performance with no application changes using Intelligent PerformanceIncrease security of your SQL Server through Secure Enclaves and Data ClassificationMaximize database uptime through online indexing and Accelerated Database RecoveryBuild new modern applications with Graph, ML Services, and T-SQL Extensibility with JavaImprove your ability to deploy SQL Server on LinuxGain in-depth knowledge to run SQL Server with containers and KubernetesKnow all the new database engine features for performance, usability, and diagnosticsUse the latest tools and methods to migrate your database to SQL Server 2019Apply your knowledge of SQL Server 2019 to AzureWho This Book Is ForIT professionals and developers who understand the fundamentals of SQL Server and wish to focus on learning about the new, modern capabilities of SQL Server 2019. The book is for those who want to learn about SQL Server 2019 and the new Big Data Clusters and AI feature set, support for machine learning and Java, how to run SQL Server with containers and Kubernetes, and increased capabilities around Intelligent Performance, advanced security, and high availability.

Get up to speed on the game-changing developments in SQL Server 2019. No longer just a database engine, SQL Server 2019 is cutting edge with support for machine learning (ML), big data analytics, Linux, containers, Kubernetes, Java, and data virtualization to Azure. This is not a book on traditional database administration for SQL Server. It focuses on all that is new for one of the most successful modernized data platforms in the industry. It is a book for data professionals who already know the fundamentals of SQL Server and want to up their game by building their skills in some of the hottest new areas in technology.SQL Server 2019 Revealed begins with a look at the project''s team goal to integrate the world of big data with SQL Server into a major product release. The book then dives into the details of key new capabilities in SQL Server 2019 using a “learn by example” approach for Intelligent Performance, security, mission-criticalavailability, and features for the modern developer. Also covered are enhancements to SQL Server 2019 for Linux and gain a comprehensive look at SQL Server using containers and Kubernetes clusters.The book concludes by showing you how to virtualize your data access with Polybase to Oracle, MongoDB, Hadoop, and Azure, allowing you to reduce the need for expensive extract, transform, and load (ETL) applications. You will then learn how to take your knowledge of containers, Kubernetes, and Polybase to build a comprehensive solution called Big Data Clusters, which is a marquee feature of 2019. You will also learn how to gain access to Spark, SQL Server, and HDFS to build intelligence over your own data lake and deploy end-to-end machine learning applications.What You Will LearnImplement Big Data Clusters with SQL Server, Spark, and HDFSCreate a Data Hub with connections to Oracle, Azure, Hadoop, and other sourcesCombine SQL and Spark to build a machine learning platform for AI applicationsBoost your performance with no application changes using Intelligent PerformanceIncrease security of your SQL Server through Secure Enclaves and Data ClassificationMaximize database uptime through online indexing and Accelerated Database RecoveryBuild new modern applications with Graph, ML Services, and T-SQL Extensibility with JavaImprove your ability to deploy SQL Server on LinuxGain in-depth knowledge to run SQL Server with containers and KubernetesKnow all the new database engine features for performance, usability, and diagnosticsUse the latest tools and methods to migrate your database to SQL Server 2019Apply your knowledge of SQL Server 2019 to AzureWho This Book Is ForIT professionals and developers who understand the fundamentals of SQL Server and wish to focus on learning about the new, modern capabilities of SQL Server 2019. The book is for those who want to learn about SQL Server 2019 and the new Big Data Clusters and AI feature set, support for machine learning and Java, how to run SQL Server with containers and Kubernetes, and increased capabilities around Intelligent Performance, advanced security, and high availability. 

Access detailed content and examples on Azure SQL, a set of cloud services that allows for SQL Server to be deployed in the cloud. This book teaches the fundamentals of deployment, configuration, security, performance, and availability of Azure SQL from the perspective of these same tasks and capabilities in SQL Server. This distinct approach makes this book an ideal learning platform for readers familiar with SQL Server on-premises who want to migrate their skills toward providing cloud solutions to an enterprise market that is increasingly cloud-focused. If you know SQL Server, you will love this book. You will be able to take your existing knowledge of SQL Server and translate that knowledge into the world of cloud services from the Microsoft Azure platform, and in particular into Azure SQL. This book provides information never seen before about the history and architecture of Azure SQL. Author Bob Ward is a leading expert with access to and support fromthe Microsoft engineering team that built Azure SQL and related database cloud services. He presents powerful, behind-the-scenes insights into the workings of one of the most popular database cloud services in the industry.What You Will LearnKnow the history of Azure SQLDeploy, configure, and connect to Azure SQLChoose the correct way to deploy SQL Server in AzureMigrate existing SQL Server instances to Azure SQLMonitor and tune Azure SQL’s performance to meet your needsEnsure your data and application are highly availableSecure your data from attack and theftWho This Book Is ForThis book is designed to teach SQL Server in the Azure cloud to the SQL Server professional. Anyone who operates, manages, or develops applications for SQL Server will benefit from this book. Readers will be able to translate their current knowledge of SQL Server—especially of SQL Server 2019—directly to Azure. This book is ideal for database professionals looking to remain relevant as their customer base moves into the cloud.  

Know how to use the new capabilities and cloud integrations in SQL Server 2022. This book covers the many innovative integrations with the Azure Cloud that make SQL Server 2022 the most cloud-connected edition ever. The book covers cutting-edge features such as the blockchain-based Ledger for creating a tamper-evident record of changes to data over time that you can rely on to be correct and reliable. You'll learn about built-in Query Intelligence capabilities to help you to upgrade with confidence that your applications will perform at least as fast after the upgrade than before. In fact, you'll probably see an increase in performance from the upgrade, with no code changes needed. Also covered are innovations such as contained availability groups and data virtualization with S3 object storage.New cloud integrations covered in this book include Microsoft Azure Purview and the use of Azure SQL for high availability and disaster recovery. The bookcovers Azure Synapse Link with its built-in capabilities to take changes and put them into Synapse automatically.Anyone building their career around SQL Server will want this book for the valuable information it provides on building SQL skills from edge to the cloud. ​What You Will LearnKnow how to use all of the new capabilities and cloud integrations in SQL Server 2022Connect to Azure for disaster recovery, near real-time analytics, and securityLeverage the Ledger to create a tamper-evident record of data changes over timeUpgrade from prior releases and achieve faster and more consistent performance with no code changesAccess data and storage in different and new formats, such as Parquet and S3, without moving the data and using your existing T-SQL skillsExplore new application scenarios using innovations with T-SQL in areassuch as JSON and time seriesWho This Book Is ForSQL Server professionals who want to upgrade their skills to the latest edition of SQL Server; those wishing to take advantage of new integrations with Microsoft Azure Purview (governance), Azure Synapse (analytics), and Azure SQL (HA and DR); and those in need of the increased performance and security offered by Query Intelligence and the new Ledger

Know how to use the new capabilities and cloud integrations in SQL Server 2022. This book covers the many innovative integrations with the Azure Cloud that make SQL Server 2022 the most cloud-connected edition ever. The book covers cutting-edge features such as the blockchain-based Ledger for creating a tamper-evident record of changes to data over time that you can rely on to be correct and reliable. You''ll learn about built-in Query Intelligence capabilities to help you to upgrade with confidence that your applications will perform at least as fast after the upgrade than before. In fact, you''ll probably see an increase in performance from the upgrade, with no code changes needed. Also covered are innovations such as contained availability groups and data virtualization with S3 object storage.New cloud integrations covered in this book include Microsoft Azure Purview and the use of Azure SQL for high availability and disaster recovery. The bookcovers Azure Synapse Link with its built-in capabilities to take changes and put them into Synapse automatically.Anyone building their career around SQL Server will want this book for the valuable information it provides on building SQL skills from edge to the cloud. ​What You Will LearnKnow how to use all of the new capabilities and cloud integrations in SQL Server 2022Connect to Azure for disaster recovery, near real-time analytics, and securityLeverage the Ledger to create a tamper-evident record of data changes over timeUpgrade from prior releases and achieve faster and more consistent performance with no code changesAccess data and storage in different and new formats, such as Parquet and S3, without moving the data and using your existing T-SQL skillsExplore new application scenarios using innovations with T-SQL in areassuch as JSON and time seriesWho This Book Is ForSQL Server professionals who want to upgrade their skills to the latest edition of SQL Server; those wishing to take advantage of new integrations with Microsoft Azure Purview (governance), Azure Synapse (analytics), and Azure SQL (HA and DR); and those in need of the increased performance and security offered by Query Intelligence and the new Ledger

Written by veteran aerospace journalist Bob Ward, who spent years investigating his subject, the father of modern rocketry, this biography presents a revealing but even-handed portrait of the one-time Nazi Party member who brought the United States into the Space Age. As he chronicles Werner von Braun's life, Ward explodes many myths and misconceptions about the controversial genius who was a hero to some, a villain to others. From the young German aristocrat’s leadership role in the development of the world’s first ballistic missile—the infamous V-2 rocket used against the Allies during the invasion of Europe in World War II—to his successes in the United States after the war– helping to launch the first U.S. satellite that hurled Americans into space and the Saturn V super-booster that powered them to the moon, a picture of von Braun emerges as a brilliant scientist with limitless curiosity and a drive to achieve his goals at almost any price. Yet the author’s lengthy research reveals that the apolitical von Braun accepted nominal Party membership and an essentially honorary SS commission only under heavy pressure, and that his connections to the notorious V-2 slave labour factory were largely peripheral.Along the way readers are introduced to the human side of this charismatic visionary who brought the United States into the Space Age. Including insights and recollections from a number of von Braun’s celebrity friends—Walter Cronkite, Hugh Downs, and William Pickering among them—this is a book certain to appeal to both von Braun’s admirers and detractors.

Written by veteran aerospace journalist Bob Ward, who spent years investigating his subject, this biography presents a revealing but even-handed portrait of the father of modern rocketry. As he chronicles Werner von Braun''s life, Ward explodes many myths and misconceptions about the controversial genius who was a hero to some, a villain to others. The picture of von Braun that emerges is of a brilliant scientist with limitless curiosity and a drive to achieve his goals at almost any price—from developing the world’s first ballistic missile used against the Allies in World War II to helping launch the first U.S. satellite that hurled Americans into space and the Saturn V super-booster that powered them to the moon. Along the way readers are introduced to the human side of this charismatic visionary who brought the United States into the Space Age.

When the Covid lockdown was imposed in 2020, Bob Ward, having had his boyhood shaped by WWII, foresaw that this would have profound effects upon community life. As an elderly man living in a rural town, there was little he could do, but he felt that this was a time to bear witness to the challenges, from the mundane to the heart-rending. By way of making a commitment to being open to whatever the experience might bring, he began to write short verses, often several on one day. He kept this up for ten weeks to create a mosaic about life under siege by an invisible force. The outcome was not simply a collection of poems, but an historical record to be set alongside other accounts of a period in our country’s life which brought significant social change. By publishing this book, the author seeks to honour all those who succumbed during the pandemic, and also those who accepted the risks of trying to save them.

Access detailed content and examples on Azure SQL, a set of cloud services that allows for SQL Server to be deployed in the cloud. This book teaches the fundamentals of deployment, configuration, security, performance, and availability of Azure SQL from the perspective of these same tasks and capabilities in SQL Server. This distinct approach makes this book an ideal learning platform for readers familiar with SQL Server on-premises who want to migrate their skills toward providing cloud solutions to an enterprise market that is increasingly cloud-focused.  If you know SQL Server, you will love this book. You will be able to take your existing knowledge of SQL Server and translate that knowledge into the world of cloud services from the Microsoft Azure platform, and in particular into Azure SQL. This book provides information never seen before about the history and architecture of Azure SQL. Author Bob Ward is a leading expert with access to and support from the Microsoft engineering team that built Azure SQL and related database cloud services. He presents powerful, behind-the-scenes insights into the workings of one of the most popular database cloud services in the industry. This book also brings you the latest innovations for Azure SQL including Azure Arc, Hyperscale, generative AI applications, Microsoft Copilots, and integration with the Microsoft Fabric.  What You Will LearnKnow the history of Azure SQLDeploy, configure, and connect to Azure SQLChoose the correct way to deploy SQL Server in AzureMigrate existing SQL Server instances to Azure SQLMonitor and tune Azure SQL’s performance to meet your needsEnsure your data and application are highly availableSecure your data from attack and theftLearn the latest innovations for Azure SQL including HyperscaleLearn how to harness the power of AI for generative data-driven applications and Microsoft Copilots for assistanceLearn how to integrate Azure SQL with the unified data platform, the Microsoft Fabric Who This Book Is ForThis book is designed to teach SQL Server in the Azure cloud to the SQL Server professional. Anyone who operates, manages, or develops applications for SQL Server will benefit from this book. Readers will be able to translate their current knowledge of SQL Server—especially of SQL Server 2019 and 2022—directly to Azure. This book is ideal for database professionals looking to remain relevant as their customer base moves into the cloud.

Access detailed content and examples on Azure SQL, a set of cloud services that allows for SQL Server to be deployed in the cloud. This book teaches the fundamentals of deployment, configuration, security, performance, and availability of Azure SQL from the perspective of these same tasks and capabilities in SQL Server. This distinct approach makes this book an ideal learning platform for readers familiar with SQL Server on-premises who want to migrate their skills toward providing cloud solutions to an enterprise market that is increasingly cloud-focused. 

 

If you know SQL Server, you will love this book. You will be able to take your existing knowledge of SQL Server and translate that knowledge into the world of cloud services from the Microsoft Azure platform, and in particular into Azure SQL. This book provides information never seen before about the history and architecture of Azure SQL. Author Bob Ward is a leading expert with access to and support from the Microsoft engineering team that built Azure SQL and related database cloud services. He presents powerful, behind-the-scenes insights into the workings of one of the most popular database cloud services in the industry. This book also brings you the latest innovations for Azure SQL including Azure Arc, Hyperscale, generative AI applications, Microsoft Copilots, and integration with the Microsoft Fabric.

 

 

What You Will Learn

Know the history of Azure SQLDeploy, configure, and connect to Azure SQLChoose the correct way to deploy SQL Server in AzureMigrate existing SQL Server instances to Azure SQLMonitor and tune Azure SQL’s performance to meet your needsEnsure your data and application are highly availableSecure your data from attack and theftLearn the latest innovations for Azure SQL including HyperscaleLearn how to harness the power of AI for generative data-driven applications and Microsoft Copilots for assistanceLearn how to integrate Azure SQL with the unified data platform, the Microsoft Fabric

 

Who This Book Is For

This book is designed to teach SQL Server in the Azure cloud to the SQL Server professional. Anyone who operates, manages, or develops applications for SQL Server will benefit from this book. Readers will be able to translate their current knowledge of SQL Server—especially of SQL Server 2019 and 2022—directly to Azure. This book is ideal for database professionals looking to remain relevant as their customer base moves into the cloud.