You are designing a database solution that supports SQL commands and low latency read operations. What solution should you recommend?

The Azure Cosmos DB SQL API is the most suitable solution for supporting SQL commands alongside low-latency read operations. Azure Cosmos DB is designed as a globally distributed, multi-model database service that provides low-latency access to data across various geographical regions. Its SQL API specifically allows for a familiar SQL query experience while leveraging the scalability and performance benefits that come with a NoSQL architecture.

One of the key features of Azure Cosmos DB is its ability to deliver low-latency read and write operations, often achieving single-digit millisecond responses, regardless of the scale. This is particularly important in scenarios where responsiveness is critical, such as in real-time applications.

Additionally, Azure Cosmos DB offers horizontal scaling, allowing for the handling of large volumes of data and concurrent requests efficiently. It supports various consistency models, which can be tailored according to application requirements, further contributing to its flexibility and performance.

In contrast, while Azure SQL Database that uses active geo-replication and Azure SQL Database Hyperscale can also provide robust solutions for SQL operations, they may not match the low-latency read performance that a purpose-built distributed database like Cosmos DB offers. Azure Database for PostgreSQL, although it supports SQL commands well, wouldn’t necessarily provide the same optimized performance