Which service model does Azure SQL Database use?

Azure SQL Database operates under the Platform as a Service (PaaS) model. This model provides a fully managed database service that abstracts the underlying infrastructure, allowing users to focus on database management, development, and optimization rather than dealing with hardware maintenance or software updates.

In the PaaS model, Azure SQL Database automatically handles various tasks such as backups, patches, scaling, and security management. This not only simplifies the database administration tasks but also reduces the need for manual intervention, enabling developers and database administrators to concentrate on application development and delivering business value.

Choosing PaaS also means users benefit from high availability and built-in intelligence features that can optimize performance and enhance security, making it a robust option for database solutions in cloud environments.

Other service models, such as IaaS or SaaS, do not fit this context for Azure SQL Database. IaaS would require more management of the operating system and infrastructure, while SaaS typically delivers software over the internet without concerns for application management. DaaS is not a widely recognized standard model but is generally oriented to data management rather than database services. Thus, PaaS is the accurate classification for Azure SQL Database, reflecting its managed services nature.