Introduction

  • 1 minute

SQL Server 2025 introduces a range of new T‑SQL features and enhancements that support modern workloads while keeping queries clear and maintainable. This module focuses on language additions for AI and vectors, pattern matching, JSON output, string processing, and improved date and numeric operations.

In this module, we cover the following topics:

  • Vector and AI integration: Learn how to generate embeddings and work with vector data using functions and features such as AI_GENERATE_EMBEDDINGS, AI_GENERATE_CHUNKS, VECTOR_DISTANCE, VECTOR_NORM, VECTOR_NORMALIZE, VECTORPROPERTY, CREATE EXTERNAL MODEL, CREATE VECTOR INDEX, and VECTOR_SEARCH.
  • Pattern matching and text extraction: Use REGEXP_LIKE, REGEXP_SUBSTR, REGEXP_REPLACE, REGEXP_INSTR, REGEXP_COUNT, REGEXP_MATCHES, and REGEXP_SPLIT_TO_TABLE, plus the enhanced SUBSTRING behavior.
  • JSON and string aggregation: Build structured output with JSON_ARRAYAGG and JSON_OBJECTAGG, and create delimited text with STRING_CONCAT_WS. You can also use the || operator for string concatenation and UNISTR for Unicode escape sequences.
  • Encoding and similarity functions: Encode and decode text with BASE64_ENCODE and BASE64_DECODE, and compare strings with STRING_SIMILARITY, EDIT_DISTANCE, EDIT_DISTANCE_SIMILARITY, JARO_WINKLER_DISTANCE, and JARO_WINKLER_SIMILARITY.
  • Date and numeric enhancements: Work with CURRENT_DATE, DATEADD with bigint, and the PRODUCT() aggregate for multiplicative calculations.

Learning objectives

Upon completing this module, you should be able to:

  • Understand the new and enhanced T‑SQL features in SQL Server 2025.
  • Apply these capabilities to integrate AI, parse and format text, build JSON output, and support analytics.
  • Choose the right function or operator to keep queries readable and efficient.

Prerequisites

  • SQL Server 2025
  • Basic working knowledge of SQL Server and query processing
  • Fundamental knowledge of Transact‑SQL (T‑SQL)
  • Familiarity with functions, operators, and JSON handling in SQL Server