Maps in SQL

A map is a collection of key-value pairs where each key maps to exactly one value. Maps are also called dictionaries or associative arrays in other contexts. In SQL, maps provide a way to store flexible, named attributes without defining a fixed schema. Maps are particularly valuable for storing metadata, configuration settings, or properties that vary between rows. Instead of adding nullable columns for every possible attribute, you store them all in a single map column. Map Basics Accessing Map Values Retrieve values from a map using bracket notation with the key: Comparison & Use Cases Map Use Cases