Nullif Sql Server
is a function that returns a null value if two specified expressions are equal. Are you curious about how to leverage it effectively, especially when considering options like server rentals? At rental-server.net
, we provide comprehensive information and solutions tailored to your needs.
1. Understanding Nullif in SQL Server
Nullif
in SQL Server is a built-in function that compares two expressions. If they are equal, it returns NULL
. If they are not equal, it returns the first expression. This function is useful for avoiding division by zero errors and handling scenarios where you want to treat identical values as missing data.
1.1. What is the Syntax of Nullif?
The syntax for the Nullif
function is straightforward:
NULLIF ( expression1, expression2 )
Here, expression1
is the value returned if the two expressions are different, and expression2
is the value to compare against.
1.2. What Are the Return Types in Nullif?
The Nullif
function returns the same data type as the first expression. If the expressions are equal, it returns a NULL
value of that type. Understanding the return type helps in properly handling the output in your SQL queries.
2. How Does Nullif Work in SQL Server?
Nullif
essentially acts as a shorthand for a CASE
statement that checks for equality. Instead of writing a verbose CASE
statement, you can use Nullif
to achieve the same result more concisely.
2.1. How Is Nullif Equivalent to a CASE Expression?
Nullif(expression1, expression2)
is equivalent to:
CASE
WHEN expression1 = expression2 THEN NULL
ELSE expression1
END
This equivalence simplifies your SQL code, making it more readable and maintainable.
2.2. Can You Provide Examples of Using Nullif?
Consider two examples to illustrate how Nullif
works:
SELECT NULLIF(4, 4) AS Same, NULLIF(5, 7) AS Different;
This query returns NULL
for the Same
column because the two input values (4 and 4) are identical. The Different
column returns the first value (5) because the two input values (5 and 7) are different.
3. Practical Applications of Nullif in SQL Server
Nullif
is not just a theoretical construct; it has several practical applications in database management and data analysis.
3.1. How Can Nullif Prevent Division by Zero Errors?
One of the most common uses of Nullif
is to prevent division by zero errors. By converting a zero value to NULL
, you can avoid errors when performing division operations.
SELECT
CASE
WHEN denominator = 0 THEN NULL
ELSE numerator / denominator
END AS Result
FROM
YourTable;
Using Nullif
, this can be simplified to:
SELECT numerator / NULLIF(denominator, 0) AS Result FROM YourTable;
If the denominator is zero, Nullif
returns NULL
, and the division results in NULL
, thus preventing an error.
3.2. How Can Nullif Handle Unchanged Budget Amounts?
In financial applications, you might want to track budget changes. Nullif
can help identify departments with unchanged budgets.
Consider a budgets
table with current_year
and previous_year
columns.
CREATE TABLE budgets (
dept TINYINT IDENTITY,
current_year DECIMAL NULL,
previous_year DECIMAL NULL
);
INSERT INTO budgets VALUES(100000, 150000);
INSERT INTO budgets VALUES(NULL, 300000);
INSERT INTO budgets VALUES(0, 100000);
INSERT INTO budgets VALUES(NULL, 150000);
INSERT INTO budgets VALUES(300000, 250000);
To find the average budget, ignoring departments with unchanged budgets (represented by NULL
in current_year
), you can combine NULLIF
and COALESCE
:
SELECT AVG(NULLIF(COALESCE(current_year, previous_year), 0.00)) AS [Average Budget] FROM budgets;
This query uses COALESCE
to use the previous_year
value when current_year
is NULL
, and NULLIF
to treat 0.00
as NULL
for the average calculation.
3.3. How Does Nullif Help in Data Cleaning?
Nullif
can be used to clean data by converting specific values to NULL
, effectively treating them as missing data.
Suppose you have a table where a value of -1
represents missing data. You can use Nullif
to convert these values to NULL
:
UPDATE YourTable SET YourColumn = NULLIF(YourColumn, -1) WHERE YourColumn = -1;
This ensures that missing data is properly represented as NULL
in your database.
4. Using Nullif With Other SQL Functions
Nullif
can be combined with other SQL functions to perform more complex data manipulations.
4.1. How Can You Combine Nullif and Coalesce?
Combining Nullif
and Coalesce
allows you to handle NULL
values and specific value comparisons in a single query.
In the budget example, COALESCE
is used to replace NULL
values in current_year
with values from previous_year
, and NULLIF
is used to treat 0.00
as NULL
for the average calculation.
SELECT AVG(NULLIF(COALESCE(current_year, previous_year), 0.00)) AS [Average Budget] FROM budgets;
4.2. How Can You Compare Nullif and Case Statements?
As mentioned earlier, Nullif
is syntactically equivalent to a CASE
statement. Understanding this equivalence can help you choose the most readable and efficient option for your specific use case.
Consider comparing the MakeFlag
and FinishedGoodsFlag
columns in the Production.Product
table of the AdventureWorks2022
database.
Using Nullif
:
USE AdventureWorks2022;
GO
SELECT ProductID, MakeFlag, FinishedGoodsFlag, NULLIF(MakeFlag, FinishedGoodsFlag) AS [Null if Equal] FROM Production.Product WHERE ProductID < 10;
Using CASE
:
USE AdventureWorks2022;
GO
SELECT ProductID, MakeFlag, FinishedGoodsFlag,
CASE
WHEN MakeFlag = FinishedGoodsFlag THEN NULL
ELSE MakeFlag
END AS [Null if Equal]
FROM Production.Product
WHERE ProductID < 10;
Both queries achieve the same result, but Nullif
provides a more concise syntax.
4.3. How Can You Use Nullif in Update Statements?
Nullif
can be effectively used in UPDATE
statements to conditionally set values to NULL
based on a comparison.
Suppose you want to update a column to NULL
if it matches a specific value:
UPDATE YourTable SET YourColumn = NULLIF(YourColumn, 'SpecificValue') WHERE YourColumn = 'SpecificValue';
This updates YourColumn
to NULL
for all rows where it equals 'SpecificValue'
.
5. Best Practices When Using Nullif in SQL Server
To ensure efficient and reliable use of Nullif
, follow these best practices.
5.1. What Are the Performance Considerations for Nullif?
Nullif
is generally efficient, but it’s important to consider its performance impact, especially in large datasets. Ensure that the expressions used in Nullif
are properly indexed to optimize query performance.
5.2. Should You Avoid Time-Dependent Functions in Nullif?
Yes, avoid using time-dependent functions like RAND()
within a Nullif
function. These functions can be evaluated multiple times, leading to inconsistent results.
-- Avoid this:
SELECT NULLIF(SomeColumn, RAND()) FROM YourTable;
5.3. Is It Important to Understand Data Types When Using Nullif?
Yes, understanding data types is crucial. Nullif
returns the same type as the first expression. Ensure that the data types of the expressions being compared are compatible to avoid unexpected results.
6. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Nullif
Avoiding common mistakes can save you time and prevent errors in your SQL queries.
6.1. Forgetting Data Type Compatibility
One common mistake is comparing incompatible data types. Ensure that the data types of the two expressions are either the same or can be implicitly converted.
-- Example of incompatible data types:
SELECT NULLIF(1, '1') -- This might lead to implicit conversion and unexpected results
6.2. Overlooking Null Values
Nullif
does not handle NULL
values directly. If either expression is NULL
, the result depends on how NULL
values are handled in comparisons. Use IS NULL
or IS NOT NULL
to explicitly handle NULL
values.
-- Incorrectly assuming NULLIF will handle NULL values:
SELECT NULLIF(NULL, 0) -- This will not work as expected
6.3. Ignoring Performance Impacts on Large Datasets
On large datasets, the performance impact of Nullif
can be significant. Ensure that your queries are optimized and that appropriate indexes are in place.
7. Nullif in Different SQL Server Versions
The behavior of Nullif
is consistent across different versions of SQL Server, but it’s always a good practice to test your queries on your specific version to ensure compatibility.
7.1. Is Nullif Consistent Across SQL Server Versions?
Yes, Nullif
behaves consistently across different versions of SQL Server, including SQL Server 2008, SQL Server 2012, SQL Server 2016, SQL Server 2017, SQL Server 2019, and Azure SQL Database.
7.2. Are There Any Version-Specific Considerations for Nullif?
While the core functionality of Nullif
remains the same, newer versions of SQL Server may offer performance improvements and additional features that can enhance its use. Always refer to the official Microsoft documentation for your specific version.
8. Comparing Nullif With Other SQL Server Functions
Understanding how Nullif
compares with other SQL Server functions can help you choose the right tool for the job.
8.1. How Does Nullif Differ From Isnull?
ISNULL
is used to replace NULL
values with a specified value, whereas Nullif
returns NULL
if two expressions are equal. They serve different purposes and are used in different scenarios.
-- ISNULL example:
SELECT ISNULL(YourColumn, 'DefaultValue') FROM YourTable;
-- NULLIF example:
SELECT NULLIF(YourColumn, 'SpecificValue') FROM YourTable;
8.2. How Does Nullif Relate to Coalesce?
COALESCE
returns the first non-NULL
expression from a list of expressions. Nullif
returns NULL
if two expressions are equal. They can be used together to handle NULL
values and specific value comparisons.
-- COALESCE example:
SELECT COALESCE(Column1, Column2, 'DefaultValue') FROM YourTable;
-- NULLIF and COALESCE combined:
SELECT AVG(NULLIF(COALESCE(current_year, previous_year), 0.00)) AS [Average Budget] FROM budgets;
8.3. What Is the Difference Between Nullif and Case When?
Nullif
is a shorthand for a specific type of CASE
statement. While CASE
statements offer more flexibility for complex conditions, Nullif
provides a more concise syntax for equality comparisons.
-- CASE statement:
SELECT
CASE
WHEN Column1 = Column2 THEN NULL
ELSE Column1
END
FROM
YourTable;
-- NULLIF:
SELECT NULLIF(Column1, Column2) FROM YourTable;
9. Advanced Nullif Techniques in SQL Server
For more advanced use cases, consider these techniques to leverage Nullif
effectively.
9.1. How Can You Use Nullif in Stored Procedures?
Nullif
can be used in stored procedures to handle conditional logic and data transformations.
CREATE PROCEDURE UpdateValue
@InputValue INT
AS
BEGIN
UPDATE YourTable
SET YourColumn = NULLIF(YourColumn, @InputValue)
WHERE YourColumn = @InputValue;
END;
This stored procedure updates YourColumn
to NULL
if it matches the input value.
9.2. Can You Use Nullif in User-Defined Functions?
Yes, Nullif
can be used in user-defined functions to perform custom data manipulations.
CREATE FUNCTION SafeDivide (@Numerator DECIMAL, @Denominator DECIMAL)
RETURNS DECIMAL
AS
BEGIN
RETURN @Numerator / NULLIF(@Denominator, 0);
END;
This function safely divides two numbers, returning NULL
if the denominator is zero.
9.3. How Can You Optimize Nullif Performance With Indexes?
To optimize Nullif
performance, ensure that the columns used in the expressions are properly indexed. This can significantly improve query performance, especially on large datasets.
CREATE INDEX IX_YourColumn ON YourTable (YourColumn);
10. Real-World Examples of Nullif Usage
To further illustrate the practical applications of Nullif
, consider these real-world examples.
10.1. How Can Nullif Be Used in E-Commerce Data Analysis?
In e-commerce, Nullif
can be used to analyze sales data and identify products with unchanged sales figures.
Suppose you have a table with current_month_sales
and previous_month_sales
columns.
SELECT product_id, NULLIF(current_month_sales, previous_month_sales) AS sales_change FROM sales_data;
This query returns NULL
for products with unchanged sales figures, allowing you to focus on products with significant changes.
10.2. How Can Nullif Be Used in Healthcare Data Management?
In healthcare, Nullif
can be used to clean patient data and handle missing values.
Suppose you have a table where a value of -999
represents missing data in a numeric field.
UPDATE patient_data SET weight = NULLIF(weight, -999) WHERE weight = -999;
This ensures that missing weight values are properly represented as NULL
.
10.3. How Can Nullif Be Used in Financial Reporting?
In financial reporting, Nullif
can be used to handle situations where certain values should be treated as missing or irrelevant.
Suppose you have a table with financial data where a value of 0
in a revenue column indicates no revenue for a particular period.
SELECT period, NULLIF(revenue, 0) AS adjusted_revenue FROM financial_data;
This query returns NULL
for periods with no revenue, allowing you to focus on periods with actual revenue.
11. SQL Server and Server Rental Options
When working with SQL Server, choosing the right server infrastructure is crucial for performance and reliability. At rental-server.net
, we offer a variety of server rental options to meet your specific needs.
11.1. What Are the Different Types of Servers Available?
We provide dedicated servers, VPS (Virtual Private Servers), and cloud servers. Each option offers different levels of performance, flexibility, and cost.
- Dedicated Servers: Offer the highest level of performance and control, ideal for demanding applications and large databases.
- VPS: Provide a balance of performance and cost, suitable for medium-sized businesses and applications.
- Cloud Servers: Offer scalability and flexibility, allowing you to easily adjust resources as needed.
11.2. How Do I Choose the Right Server for My Needs?
Choosing the right server depends on your specific requirements, including the size of your database, the number of users, and the performance demands of your applications. Our team at rental-server.net
can help you assess your needs and recommend the best server option.
11.3. What Are the Benefits of Renting a Server From Rental-Server.Net?
Renting a server from rental-server.net
offers several benefits, including:
- Cost Savings: Avoid the upfront costs of purchasing and maintaining your own server.
- Scalability: Easily scale your resources as your business grows.
- Reliability: Benefit from our high-availability infrastructure and expert support.
- Expert Support: Our team of experienced professionals is available to provide support and assistance.
12. Securing Your SQL Server Environment
Securing your SQL Server environment is critical to protect your data from unauthorized access and cyber threats.
12.1. What Are the Best Practices for Securing SQL Server?
Some best practices for securing SQL Server include:
- Strong Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for all SQL Server accounts.
- Firewall Configuration: Configure your firewall to allow only necessary traffic to your SQL Server.
- Regular Updates: Keep your SQL Server software up to date with the latest security patches.
- Encryption: Use encryption to protect sensitive data both in transit and at rest.
- Access Control: Implement strict access control policies to limit user access to only necessary data and resources.
12.2. How Can I Protect My SQL Server From SQL Injection Attacks?
SQL injection attacks are a common threat to SQL Server databases. To protect against these attacks:
- Parameterized Queries: Use parameterized queries or stored procedures to prevent attackers from injecting malicious SQL code.
- Input Validation: Validate all user input to ensure that it conforms to expected formats and does not contain malicious code.
- Least Privilege: Grant users only the minimum privileges necessary to perform their tasks.
12.3. What Are the Tools for Monitoring SQL Server Security?
Several tools are available for monitoring SQL Server security, including:
- SQL Server Audit: A built-in feature that allows you to track and log database activity.
- SQL Server Profiler: A tool for monitoring SQL Server performance and identifying potential security issues.
- Third-Party Security Tools: Numerous third-party tools are available for monitoring SQL Server security and detecting threats.
13. SQL Server Performance Tuning
Optimizing SQL Server performance is essential for ensuring that your applications run smoothly and efficiently.
13.1. What Are the Key Factors Affecting SQL Server Performance?
Key factors that affect SQL Server performance include:
- Hardware Resources: CPU, memory, and disk I/O.
- Database Design: Proper indexing, normalization, and data types.
- Query Optimization: Efficient SQL queries and stored procedures.
- Server Configuration: Proper configuration of SQL Server settings.
13.2. How Can I Identify and Resolve Performance Bottlenecks?
To identify and resolve performance bottlenecks:
- Monitor Performance: Use tools like SQL Server Profiler and Performance Monitor to track key performance metrics.
- Analyze Queries: Use the SQL Server Query Optimizer to analyze query plans and identify inefficient queries.
- Optimize Indexes: Ensure that your tables are properly indexed to support your queries.
- Tune Server Configuration: Adjust SQL Server settings to optimize performance for your specific workload.
13.3. What Are the Tools for SQL Server Performance Monitoring?
Several tools are available for SQL Server performance monitoring, including:
- SQL Server Profiler: A tool for capturing and analyzing SQL Server events.
- SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS): A comprehensive tool for managing and monitoring SQL Server.
- Performance Monitor: A Windows tool for monitoring system performance.
- Third-Party Monitoring Tools: Numerous third-party tools are available for monitoring SQL Server performance and providing alerts.
14. Disaster Recovery and Backup Strategies for SQL Server
Implementing a robust disaster recovery and backup strategy is crucial for protecting your data from loss and ensuring business continuity.
14.1. What Are the Different Types of SQL Server Backups?
Different types of SQL Server backups include:
- Full Backups: Back up the entire database.
- Differential Backups: Back up only the changes made since the last full backup.
- Transaction Log Backups: Back up the transaction log, allowing you to restore to a specific point in time.
14.2. How Often Should I Back Up My SQL Server Database?
The frequency of backups depends on your recovery point objective (RPO) and recovery time objective (RTO). Full backups should be performed regularly, with differential and transaction log backups performed more frequently to minimize data loss.
14.3. What Are the Steps for Restoring a SQL Server Database?
The steps for restoring a SQL Server database include:
- Verify Backups: Ensure that your backups are valid and can be restored.
- Restore Full Backup: Restore the latest full backup.
- Restore Differential Backup (If Applicable): Restore the latest differential backup.
- Restore Transaction Log Backups: Restore all transaction log backups since the last full or differential backup.
- Recover Database: Recover the database to bring it online.
15. Exploring SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)
SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is a powerful tool for data integration and transformation.
15.1. What Is SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)?
SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is a platform for building high-performance data integration solutions, including extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL) processes.
15.2. How Can SSIS Be Used for Data Integration?
SSIS can be used for data integration to:
- Extract Data: Extract data from various sources, including databases, files, and web services.
- Transform Data: Transform data using a variety of built-in transformations, such as data cleansing, aggregation, and sorting.
- Load Data: Load data into target databases or data warehouses.
15.3. What Are the Benefits of Using SSIS?
The benefits of using SSIS include:
- Flexibility: Supports a wide range of data sources and transformations.
- Performance: Designed for high-performance data integration.
- Scalability: Can handle large volumes of data.
- Extensibility: Supports custom components and extensions.
16. SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) Overview
SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) is a platform for creating and delivering a variety of reports.
16.1. What Is SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS)?
SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) is a server-based reporting platform that enables you to create, deploy, and manage a variety of reports, including tabular, matrix, and graphical reports.
16.2. How Can SSRS Be Used for Data Reporting?
SSRS can be used for data reporting to:
- Create Reports: Design and create a variety of reports using the SSRS Report Designer.
- Deploy Reports: Deploy reports to the SSRS Report Server.
- Manage Reports: Manage reports using the SSRS Report Manager.
- Deliver Reports: Deliver reports to users via email, web browser, or other channels.
16.3. What Are the Benefits of Using SSRS?
The benefits of using SSRS include:
- Flexibility: Supports a wide range of data sources and report formats.
- Scalability: Can handle large volumes of data and users.
- Integration: Integrates seamlessly with SQL Server and other Microsoft products.
- Customization: Supports custom report items and extensions.
17. Cloud-Based SQL Server Solutions
Cloud-based SQL Server solutions offer scalability, flexibility, and cost savings.
17.1. What Are the Benefits of Using Cloud-Based SQL Server?
The benefits of using cloud-based SQL Server include:
- Scalability: Easily scale resources as needed.
- Flexibility: Pay only for the resources you use.
- Cost Savings: Avoid the upfront costs of purchasing and maintaining your own hardware.
- High Availability: Benefit from built-in high availability and disaster recovery features.
17.2. What Are the Different Cloud-Based SQL Server Options?
Different cloud-based SQL Server options include:
- Azure SQL Database: A fully managed SQL Server database service in the cloud.
- Azure SQL Managed Instance: A fully managed SQL Server instance in the cloud.
- SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines: Deploy SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines for maximum control and flexibility.
17.3. How Do I Migrate My SQL Server Database to the Cloud?
To migrate your SQL Server database to the cloud:
- Assess Your Requirements: Evaluate your performance, scalability, and security needs.
- Choose a Cloud Platform: Select a cloud platform that meets your requirements.
- Migrate Your Data: Use tools like the Azure Database Migration Service to migrate your data to the cloud.
- Test Your Application: Test your application to ensure that it works properly in the cloud environment.
- Monitor Performance: Monitor performance and optimize your configuration as needed.
18. Staying Updated With SQL Server Trends
Staying updated with the latest SQL Server trends and technologies is essential for maintaining a competitive edge.
18.1. What Are the Latest Trends in SQL Server Technology?
Latest trends in SQL Server technology include:
- Cloud Computing: Increased adoption of cloud-based SQL Server solutions.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): Integration of AI and machine learning capabilities.
- Big Data: Support for big data analytics and data warehousing.
- Security: Enhanced security features and compliance capabilities.
18.2. How Can I Learn More About SQL Server?
You can learn more about SQL Server through:
- Microsoft Documentation: The official Microsoft documentation provides comprehensive information about SQL Server.
- Online Courses: Numerous online courses are available on platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and edX.
- Conferences and Events: Attend SQL Server conferences and events to learn from experts and network with peers.
- Community Forums: Participate in SQL Server community forums to ask questions and share knowledge.
18.3. What Are the Key Resources for SQL Server Professionals?
Key resources for SQL Server professionals include:
- Microsoft SQL Server Website: The official Microsoft SQL Server website.
- SQL Server Central: A community website for SQL Server professionals.
- Stack Overflow: A question and answer website for programmers and IT professionals.
- Books and Publications: Numerous books and publications are available on SQL Server.
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, we are committed to providing you with the best server rental options and expert support to help you succeed with SQL Server. Our comprehensive solutions and reliable infrastructure ensure that your SQL Server environment is optimized for performance, security, and scalability.
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FAQ About Nullif SQL Server
1. What exactly does the Nullif
function do in SQL Server?
The Nullif
function in SQL Server checks if two expressions are equal. If they are, it returns NULL
; otherwise, it returns the first expression. This is commonly used to prevent division by zero or to treat specific values as NULL
.
2. How is Nullif
different from the ISNULL
function in SQL Server?
Nullif
returns NULL
if two expressions are equal, while ISNULL
replaces NULL
values with a specified replacement value. They serve different purposes: Nullif
compares values, and ISNULL
handles NULL
values.
3. Can you provide an example of using Nullif
to prevent division by zero?
Yes, you can use Nullif
to prevent division by zero by converting the denominator to NULL
if it is zero, which results in a NULL
result rather than an error:
SELECT numerator / NULLIF(denominator, 0) AS result FROM your_table;
4. How can I use Nullif
in an UPDATE
statement?
You can use Nullif
in an UPDATE
statement to conditionally set a column to NULL
if it matches a specific value. For example:
UPDATE your_table SET your_column = NULLIF(your_column, 'specific_value') WHERE your_column = 'specific_value';
5. What data types can be used with the Nullif
function?
Nullif
can be used with any scalar data types, but it’s important to ensure that the data types of the two expressions being compared are compatible. SQL Server may perform implicit conversions if the data types are different.
6. Is Nullif
equivalent to a CASE
statement? If so, how?
Yes, Nullif(expression1, expression2)
is equivalent to the following CASE
statement:
CASE
WHEN expression1 = expression2 THEN NULL
ELSE expression1
END;
7. Are there any performance considerations when using Nullif
in large datasets?
Yes, using Nullif
on large datasets can impact performance. Ensure that the columns being compared are indexed to optimize query performance. Avoid using complex expressions within Nullif
that could slow down query execution.
8. How does Nullif
handle NULL
values?
Nullif
does not explicitly handle NULL
values. If either expression is NULL
, the result depends on how NULL
values are handled in comparisons. To handle NULL
values explicitly, use IS NULL
or IS NOT NULL
in conjunction with Nullif
.
9. Can I use time-dependent functions like RAND()
within Nullif
?
It is not recommended to use time-dependent functions like RAND()
within Nullif
, as these functions can be evaluated multiple times, leading to inconsistent results. The function may be evaluated twice and return different results from the two invocations.
10. Is Nullif
supported in all versions of SQL Server?
Yes, Nullif
is supported in all versions of SQL Server, including SQL Server 2008, SQL Server 2012, SQL Server 2016, SQL Server 2017, SQL Server 2019, and Azure SQL Database.