DP-900 · 2 Identify considerations for relational data on Azure
Azure open-source databases
Exam objective: Identify Azure database services for open-source database systems
Azure Database for MySQL and Azure Database for PostgreSQL are managed PaaS versions of these open source engines, each with a Flexible Server option for more control.
Azure also offers managed services for two popular open source relational database systems: MySQL and PostgreSQL. Both let you move an existing application to Azure without rewriting it for a different engine.
Azure Database for MySQL is a managed version of the MySQL Community Edition. Microsoft handles the underlying hardware, patching and backups.
Azure Database for PostgreSQL manages PostgreSQL instead. PostgreSQL itself goes beyond plain relational tables: it is a hybrid relational-object database, because it can also store custom, nonrelational data types, including geometric shapes such as lines and circles. PostgreSQL also has its own SQL dialect, called pgsql, which supports stored procedures that run inside the database.
Both services offer a Flexible Server deployment option. Flexible Server gives more granular control over configuration and cost than the plain managed server, and it is the recommended starting point for a new workload.
On the exam, pair "MySQL Community Edition in the cloud" with Azure Database for MySQL, and "hybrid relational-object, geometric data, pgsql" with Azure Database for PostgreSQL.
Key points
- Azure Database for MySQL is a managed PaaS version of the MySQL Community Edition.
- Azure Database for PostgreSQL is a managed PaaS version of PostgreSQL, which can also store custom and geometric data types beyond plain relational tables.
- Both services offer a Flexible Server deployment option, which gives more control over configuration and cost than the plain managed server.
- PostgreSQL has its own SQL dialect called pgsql, with support for stored procedures that run inside the database.
Exam trap
PostgreSQL is sometimes treated as just another relational database, but it is a hybrid relational-object database, because it can also store custom, nonrelational data types such as geometric shapes.
Check yourself
A team migrating an on premises PostgreSQL server to Azure Database for PostgreSQL wants to keep using the client tool they already know to connect to and manage the database. Which statement about this migration is correct?
Go deeper on Microsoft Learn
Checked against Microsoft Learn on October 1, 2026.