SQL Server Spaces Out
In SQL Server 2012, the database itself is capable of understanding geospatial data (shapes—projected onto either a flat surface or the round earth) as a native data type. SQL Server can efficiently store and process instances of such data, so developers can enjoy rich spatial functionality at the database level. This feature (which was first introduced in Microsoft SQL Server 2008 and is available in all editions of SQL Server) offers an attractive alternative to performing spatial calculations at the application level, either through custom written code (which is far from trivial) or by using a third-party library (which is far from inexpensive).
The algorithms used in geospatial operations are very complex (to say the least), ...
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