Machine learning services

Predictive analysis profits from efficient and enlarged languages such as Python or R. SQL Server 2016 was the first version of SQL Server that incorporated new features called R Services. This feature is not seen in SQL Server 2017 installation anymore because it was renamed to Machine Learning Services. The renaming reflects the new Python support.

Machine learning services can be installed in-server. In this installation mode, Python and R support is incorporated directly into SQL Server DE. When the in-server mode is chosen, developers can call the SQL Server stored procedure, sp_execute_external_script, with R command or Python command as a parameter.

The second possible mode of installation is the machine learning server, which is an independent server consuming and executing R as well as Python scripts and visualizations.