Azure SQL Database is the 'Evergreen' version of SQL Server. It always runs the latest stable version and offers the best integration for .NET applications.
DTU (Database Transaction Unit): A pre-packaged bundle of CPU, RAM, and IO. Best for small-to-medium apps where simplicity is key.
vCore: Allows you to scale CPU and RAM independently. Best for large, enterprise-grade workloads where you need to 'tune' the infrastructure to your code.
One of the biggest innovations in cloud databases. Hyperscale can grow up to **100TB** automatically and provides near-instant backups/restores Regardless of the database size. This removes the 'Storage Wall' that many .NET architects face when their apps grow.
Q: "Should I use Elastic Pools?"
Architect Answer: "YES! If you are building a **SaaS application** where each customer has their own database. Instead of paying for a separate server for every client, you put them all in an **Elastic Pool**. The pool shares a fixed set of resources (CPU/RAM), so if one customer is busy and others are quiet, the busy one gets the power. It can save you up to 80% on database costs."