Understand KQL database and tables

  • 5 minutes

Let's explore the core elements of Synapse Real-Time Analytics (RTA) in Microsoft Fabric.

Real-Time Analytics core components

Screenshot of Fabric Real-Time Analytics components.

  • A KQL database is a Kusto database and an upper-level entity that hosts a collection of tables, stored functions, materialized views, shortcuts, and datastreams.
  • Use the KQL Queryset to run queries, and view and manipulate query results on data from your KQL database. The KQL Queryset allows you to save queries for future use, or export and share queries with others. In addition, the KQL Queryset uses the Kusto Query language for query creation, and also supports T-SQL and some T-SQL functions. For more information about the query language, see Kusto Query Language overview.
  • The Eventstream feature allows you to integrate streaming data from multiple source types, which include Event hubs, custom apps, and sample data. Once you've established your source(s), you can then send the streaming data to multiple destinations including a Lakehouse, KQL Database, or a custom app.

KQL Database objects

As with many databases, the KQL Database has many objects to handle your data storage, streaming, and querying needs to support your decision making systems downstream.

Screenshot of a Fabric Kusto Database.

  • A table is a schema entity that contains a set of columns and rows of data. A table has a well-defined schema (an ordered list of column name and data type pairs). You can use the .create table command to create a new table, the .show table command to show the table schema, and the .ingest command to ingest data into a table.
  • A function is a schema entity that encapsulates a subquery expression that can be invoked from within other KQL queries. A stored function has a name, an optional list of parameters, and a body that contains the subquery expression. You can use the .create function command to create a new stored function, and the .show functions command to show the stored functions in a database.
  • A materialized view is a schema entity that stores precomputed results of a query for faster retrieval. A materialized view has a name, an optional list of parameters, and a body that contains the query expression. You can use the .create materialized-view command to create a new materialized view, and the .show materialized-views command to show the materialized views in a database.
  • A datastream is a representation of all of the attached KQL eventstreams connected to the KQL database