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SQL Server Ledger Tables: Complete Guide with Banking Example
SQL Server Ledger Tables, introduced in SQL Server 2022, offer blockchain-like immutability for data integrity. Ledger Tables guarantee that data changes are cryptographically linked and verifiable. There are two types: updatable tables, for evolving records, and append-only tables, for immutable data. Updatable ledger tables include a hidden history table to track every change. The system uses hidden history tables and a database ledger to maintain data integrity. A practical banking scenario using Ledger Tables is presented with examples. The example involves creating Accounts and Transactions tables, both with ledger enabled. Banking operations like deposit, withdraw, and transfer are performed. The history of changes can be explored using the hidden history tables. A cryptographic digest can be generated to verify data integrity and prevent tampering. Ledger Tables are ideal for financial and other systems requiring data trustworthiness.