Temporal Tables

Temporal Tables, introduced in SQL Server 2016, automatically track the full history of data changes by storing previous versions in a separate history table. Also known as system-versioned tables, they enable auditing, data reconstruction,and point-in-time analysis.

How it works:

• A SYSTEM_TIME column records the validity period of each row.
• SQL Server manages insert/update/delete history automatically.
• Users can query using the FOR SYSTEM_TIME clause.

Temporal tables simplify compliance with data retention policies and enable robust auditing without manual tracking.