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SQL Server 2022 brings a host of new features and enhancements, including some notable improvements in XML compression. XML data can be quite verbose and lead to high storage requirements. Hence, enhanced XML compression techniques are crucial in managing large volumes of XML data efficiently. In this blog post, we will explore the XML compression enhancements in SQL Server 2022, comparing them with the techniques employed in SQL Server 2019, MySQL 8.0, DB2 11.5, Azure SQL and Azure Synapse.

One of the key XML compression enhancements in SQL Server 2022 is the use of a more advanced compression algorithm, which significantly improves the storage efficiency of XML data. This new algorithm reduces the storage footprint of XML data, thus saving valuable disk space and improving performance. In contrast, SQL Server 2019 used a less efficient compression algorithm that could lead to higher storage usage for XML data.

When it comes to XML compression, MySQL 8.0 uses a different approach. Instead of compressing the XML data itself, MySQL 8.0 compresses the XML schema, which describes the structure of the XML data. This approach can be more efficient in some cases, but it may not be as effective as the new XML compression enhancements in SQL Server 2022 when dealing with large volumes of XML data.

-- MySQL XML Compression
ALTER TABLE my_table 
ROW_FORMAT=COMPRESSED;

DB2 11.5 takes a different approach to XML compression. It provides a feature called XML storage optimization, which automatically optimizes the storage of XML data based on its usage patterns. This feature can be very useful in reducing the storage footprint of XML data, but it requires a good understanding of the usage patterns of the XML data to be effective.

Azure SQL and Azure Synapse, on the other hand, leverage the power of cloud storage to handle large volumes of XML data. They provide advanced data compression features, including columnstore compression, which can significantly reduce the storage footprint of XML data. However, these features are more geared towards general data compression and may not be as efficient as the XML-specific compression enhancements in SQL Server 2022.

-- Azure SQL Columnstore Compression
CREATE CLUSTERED COLUMNSTORE INDEX cci
ON my_table;

In conclusion, SQL Server 2022 brings significant enhancements to XML compression, offering more efficient storage of XML data compared to previous versions and other database management systems. It is always recommended to understand your data usage patterns and choose the most suitable compression technique for your specific needs. Stay tuned to SQLSupport.org for more insights and updates on SQL Server 2022.