What is the database compatibility level?
A compatibility level is an option associated with each database.
It controls some database behaviors to be compatible with a particular version of SQL Server.
Why should you care about the compatibility level?
In addition to the new features, there are changes associated with database compatibility levels and cardinality estimator versions when you are migrating to a newer version of SQL Server (SQL Server 2014 and newer).
Usually, a new cardinality estimator gives you equal or better performance for most queries, but sometimes you can have queries with significant performance regressions.
By the way, this check is a part of our SQL Server Health Check service.
How can you change the database compatibility level?
It is essential to have a migration plan that includes tests into what database compatibility level you want to use on the new version of SQL Server.
You can follow the Microsoft bests practices below for an upgrade process.
- Upgraded to the latest SQL Server version and keep the source database compatibility level.
- Right-click the database and then click Properties;
- In the options tab, choose the Compatibility level.
- Use the Query Store feature to collect a workload baseline for each database.
- Change the database compatibility level to the latest version.
- Use the Query Store again, look for the bad queries, and fix their performance regressions by forcing the last known good plan.
More information
Microsoft – Compatibility Level.
Microsoft – Change the Database Compatibility Level and use the Query Store.
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