Microsoft SQL Server is a top-tier choice for businesses of all sizes and industries who need an enterprise-class relational database solution. With a history more than 30 years long, SQL Server is one of the market leaders in relational database management systems (RDBMS), and now includes features for data analytics, business intelligence, and machine learning.
Why is a Microsoft SQL Server REST API Useful?
Microsoft SQL Server is accessible via many programming languages using various client libraries, however enterprises embracing API-driven development initiatives are seeking to unify access via a single REST interface. Developing such an interface is however much more involved than just programmatically implementing a bridge between the database and various endpoints; the developer must also take performance, security, and compliance into account. Further, the API should be sufficiently capable so as to support access to views and stored procedures.
The following video introduces DreamFactory's automated SQL Server API generation capabilities, and additionally explains how role-based access controls can tightly control how clients interact with this API.
DreamFactory's SQL Server REST API Features
DreamFactory's SQL Server REST API connector is by far the most popular of the 20 supported databases, and is responsible for generating APIs used by many of the world's largest companies.
Full CRUD Capabilities
Using this connector, developers and database administrators can instantaneously generate full featured, fully documented, and secure REST APIs for any SQL Server database. In addition to endpoints for all of the usual CRUD operations, developers can additionally interact with views and stored procedures, and can even inspect and interact with the schema.
Role-based Access Controls
This auto-generated API is however only the beginning. DreamFactory users can then proceed with assigning highly specific role-based access controls (RBAC) capable of limiting access to specific tables or stored procedures, and even determining what actions a client can take (GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE). It's also possible to define row-based limits, further restricting client access.
Multiple Databases, One API Response
Another popular DreamFactory feature used in conjunction with SQL Server APIs is Data Mesh. Data Mesh allows you to create virtual relationships between SQL Server and other databases such as Oracle or MySQL, even when these databases reside in different clouds. To learn more about data mesh, DreamFactory Academy offers a detailed video titled "Merging Multiple Database API Calls with Data Mesh". We've also recently published a blog post titled Easier Data Marts with Data Mesh.
Real Time Analytics
Because performance and analytics are crucial to modern devops, all SQL Server API behavior can be closely monitored through DreamFactory's Elastic Stack integration. The amazing Kibana-powered dashboards provide up-to-the-second insights into API key usage, HTTP response codes, data consumption, and much more.
Ease of Use
As a no-code API management platform, DreamFactory is accessible to everyone in your organization, from DBAs to non-technical business users. That’s one reason why DreamFactory earns an average rating of 8.9/10 for ease of use on the business software review platform G2.
Learn More
If you'd like to build powerful API-driven applications, get in touch, or start a hosted trial today! We can quickly set you up with a hosted or on-premise trial so you can experience the power of the DreamFactory Platform.
