Welcome to Azure Cosmos DB

Azure Cosmos DB is a globally distributed, multi-model database service that enables you to rapidly create and query globally distributed, massively scalable data, with open APIs for MongoDB, Cassandra, Gremlin, and Table. It offers guaranteed low latency, high availability, and elastic scalability.

Key Features

  • Global Distribution: Replicate your data across any number of Azure regions with zero operational effort.
  • Multi-API Support: Use the API that best suits your application needs, including SQL (Core), MongoDB, Cassandra, Gremlin, and Table.
  • Elastic Scalability: Independently and elastically scale throughput and storage, and do so on demand.
  • Guaranteed Low Latency: Get guaranteed read and write latencies at the 99th percentile.
  • Mission-Critical Reliability: Achieve high availability with multi-master capabilities and multiple consistency options.

Getting Started with Cosmos DB

Begin your journey with Azure Cosmos DB by exploring the following resources:

Understanding Core Concepts

Dive deeper into the fundamental building blocks of Cosmos DB:

Resource Hierarchy:

Account -> Databases -> Containers -> Items

Provisioned Throughput: Measured in Request Units per second (RU/s).

Partition Key: Essential for distributing data and ensuring scalability.

Choosing the Right API

Azure Cosmos DB supports multiple APIs, allowing you to leverage existing knowledge and tools. Select the API that aligns with your application's requirements:

  • SQL (Core) API: A powerful NoSQL document database with rich query capabilities using a SQL-like syntax.
  • MongoDB API: Compatible with MongoDB drivers and tools, enabling migration of existing MongoDB applications.
  • Cassandra API: Offers a familiar Cassandra Query Language (CQL) experience for NoSQL column-family data.
  • Gremlin API: Built for graph data, supporting the Apache TinkerPop Gremlin query language.
  • Table API: Provides a key/value and document store for applications using the Azure Table storage model.

Learn More

Explore detailed documentation, best practices, and troubleshooting guides to maximize your use of Azure Cosmos DB.