What type of data sources can Polybase retrieve data from?

Polybase is a feature designed to provide seamless access to data stored in both relational and non-relational sources. This capability allows data engineers and analysts to query various types of data using familiar SQL syntax, which simplifies the integration of diverse data formats and storage solutions into analytics workflows.

With Polybase, users can retrieve data not only from SQL databases such as SQL Server or Azure SQL Database but also from non-relational sources including Hadoop, Azure Blob Storage, and various external files. This flexibility makes it easier to combine structured data from traditional databases with unstructured or semi-structured data from big data sources, enhancing overall data accessibility and usability in analytical scenarios.

This broad reach is what sets Polybase apart, allowing organizations to leverage a unified approach to data querying regardless of the underlying storage system.