Comments on: Is spatial support needed in SQL Azure? http://simonmunro.com/2010/02/08/is-spatial-support-needed-in-sql-azure/ Software Development and Public Cloud Mon, 24 Oct 2011 08:10:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Rob http://simonmunro.com/2010/02/08/is-spatial-support-needed-in-sql-azure/#comment-41 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 23:17:21 +0000 http://simonmunro.wordpress.com/2010/02/08/is-spatial-support-needed-in-sql-azure/#comment-41 Simon,

Interesting read, I stumbled over from an FME blog post :-)

Microsoft have moved so much closer in the last 4 years to System.Spatial, spatial types in the database, points lines and polygons in their Shapes library, but IMO I can’t see graduation happening any time soon :-(

Not sure if you have stumbled across ESRI in your research, an ex employer of mine, but they’re a Microsft Glold Partner, 20 year relationship, and one of the largest COM implementations outside of Microsoft ever. They offer a comprehensive spatial library, but until recently they’ve been very protective of access to the database – there has been some movement recently towards closer integration with SQL Server (ESRI Mapit).

http://www.microsoft.com/business/enterprise/alliancepartner/esri.mspx
http://www.esri.com/partners/alliances/microsoft/esri_brochure_crop_guide.pdf
http://resources.esri.com/arcgisengine/index.cfm?fa=forDevelopers

Rob

]]> By: Ed Katibah http://simonmunro.com/2010/02/08/is-spatial-support-needed-in-sql-azure/#comment-40 Tue, 23 Mar 2010 18:21:27 +0000 http://simonmunro.wordpress.com/2010/02/08/is-spatial-support-needed-in-sql-azure/#comment-40 Let me put an end to the rumor that spatial is now implemented directly in the R2 runtime. SQL Server Spatial is, and will be for the forseeable future, implemented in SQL-CLR. There has been a bit of confusion about SQL Azure and the fact that spatial data support requires the CLR. Spatial is implemented as a “built-in” CLR feature. As such, this means that you do not have to enable the CLR in SQL Server or SQL Azure for spatial features to be available. Case-in-point is the fact that the CLR will not be enabled for public use in SQL Azure and yet CLR-based spatial features will be fully enabled.

]]> By: simonmunro http://simonmunro.com/2010/02/08/is-spatial-support-needed-in-sql-azure/#comment-39 Mon, 22 Mar 2010 21:55:57 +0000 http://simonmunro.wordpress.com/2010/02/08/is-spatial-support-needed-in-sql-azure/#comment-39 Yes Ed, it is both interesting and good news. The lack of the spatial datatypes was a major hinderance to an upgrade path and adding support is positive for the adoption of SQL Azue. It is interesting that in the announcement that there is no mention of SQL CLR, which adds substance to the rumor that spatial is now directly in the R2 runtime and no longer in SQL-CLR. While the announcement is good for many (or most even) of the spatial data requirements in MS shops, the need for first-class non SQL spatial libraries remains a requirement for some geo-aware applications.

]]> By: Ed Katibah http://simonmunro.com/2010/02/08/is-spatial-support-needed-in-sql-azure/#comment-38 Mon, 22 Mar 2010 20:49:31 +0000 http://simonmunro.wordpress.com/2010/02/08/is-spatial-support-needed-in-sql-azure/#comment-38 Nice treatise with some thought-provoking insight. With spatial support for SQL Azure around the corner (see Spatial Data Support Coming To SQL Azure at http://blogs.msdn.com/edkatibah/archive/2010/03/21/spatial-data-support-coming-to-sql-azure.aspx), if will be interesting to see how this all plays out…

]]> By: Jamie Thomson http://simonmunro.com/2010/02/08/is-spatial-support-needed-in-sql-azure/#comment-35 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:24:57 +0000 http://simonmunro.wordpress.com/2010/02/08/is-spatial-support-needed-in-sql-azure/#comment-35 I’d never thought about it. I don’t think spatial data is any more or less relevant there than in other places really. Did you have anything in mind?

One thing I think that the upcoming Live Framework will (or should) offer is the ability for you to store your location and thus enable you to delegate authority to a third party to update that for you. Not sure if that is relevant here though.

]]> By: simonmunro http://simonmunro.com/2010/02/08/is-spatial-support-needed-in-sql-azure/#comment-34 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:40:35 +0000 http://simonmunro.wordpress.com/2010/02/08/is-spatial-support-needed-in-sql-azure/#comment-34 Thanks Jamie. I am a noob in this (spatial datga) area, so glad that the first comment was not a flame. Doesn’t spatial data also becomes relevant with the Live stuff that you are interested in?

]]> By: Jamie Thomson http://simonmunro.com/2010/02/08/is-spatial-support-needed-in-sql-azure/#comment-33 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:12:06 +0000 http://simonmunro.wordpress.com/2010/02/08/is-spatial-support-needed-in-sql-azure/#comment-33 Brilliantly observed post as usual Simon. Top work!

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