SQL Server Deprecated Features

SQL Server Deprecated Features Over 25 Years

Microsoft SQL Server has seen numerous features marked as deprecated over the past 25 years. Deprecated features are still functional but are planned for removal in future releases. Here’s a summary of major deprecated features across different versions:

SQL Server 2000 (8.0) to SQL Server 2005 (9.0)

• Old Syntax: The use of non-ANSI join syntax (*=, =*) was deprecated, recommending the use of ANSI-standard JOIN syntax instead.
• System Tables: Deprecated tables like syslogins and sysdatabases were replaced by catalog views such as sys.server_principals and sys.databases?12†source?.

SQL Server 2008 (10.0) and 2008 R2 (10.5)

• Database Mirroring: Deprecated in favor of Always On Availability Groups for better high-availability and Disaster Recovery?14†source?.
• sp_dboption: Replaced by ALTER DATABASE for managing database options?15†source?.
• RAISERROR Syntax: Deprecated the old RAISERROR format, recommending the newer syntax with severity and state options?12†source?.

SQL Server 2012 (11.0)

• SQL-DMO (Distributed Management Objects): Deprecated and replaced by SQL Server Management Objects (SMO) for programmatic management of SQL Server?13†source?.
• WITH APPEND on Triggers: Developers were advised to re-create triggers rather than modifying them with the deprecated WITH APPEND clause?14†source?.

SQL Server 2014 (12.0)

• FastFirstRow Hint: Deprecated in favor of OPTION (FAST n) for more flexible query management?12†source?.
• Remote Servers: Deprecated, recommending the use of Linked Servers for remote data access?14†source?.

SQL Server 2016 (13.0)

• sp_setapprole and sp_changeobjectowner: Replaced by more robust alternatives like ALTER APPLICATION ROLE and ALTER SCHEMA?15†source?.
• SET FMTONLY: Deprecated, with newer metadata discovery techniques like sys.dm_exec_describe_first_result_set being recommended?13†source?.

SQL Server 2017 (14.0)

• Stretch Database: Deprecated in favor of using Azure SQL Database Hyperscale due to complexity in setup and management?15†source?.

SQL Server 2019 (15.0)

• Distributed Replay: Deprecated, with Azure Load Testing recommended for scalable performance testing?14†source?.
• Machine Learning Server: Marked for deprecation, with Azure Machine Learning recommended instead?15†source?.

SQL Server 2022 (16.0)

• SQL Server Big Data Clusters: Discontinued due to low adoption, replaced by Azure Synapse Analytics for big data workloads?15†source?.
• PolyBase Scale-Out Groups: Phased out due to improved single-node PolyBase performance?15†source?.

Tracking Deprecated Features in SQL Server

Use the SQLServer:Deprecated Features performance counter or run this T-SQL query to identify deprecated features in your instance:

SELECT object_name, counter_name, instance_name, cntr_value, cntr_typeFROM sys.dm_os_performance_counters WHERE object_name like '%SQL%Deprecated Features%'AND cntr_value > 0;    

You can also use the Deprecated Features Report in Database Health Monitor.

Full list of deprecated features available from Microsoft.com

By staying informed about deprecated features, you can ensure compatibility, improve performance, and maintain security across your SQL Server environment.

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