What is required in Azure Synapse Analytics to connect with Azure Cosmos DB for querying?

Connecting Azure Synapse Analytics with Azure Cosmos DB for querying requires a linked service configuration. This configuration serves as a bridge between the two services, allowing Synapse to access and interact with the data stored in Cosmos DB. A linked service specifies the connection information needed for Synapse to connect to the Cosmos DB instance, such as the database endpoint and the authentication method.

The configuration of a linked service is crucial because it defines how data is fetched, enabling Synapse to perform analytical queries on the data within Cosmos DB. Without this setup, Azure Synapse Analytics would not be able to establish a connection to the Cosmos DB for data retrieval or manipulation.

Understanding linked services is fundamental for effective data integration within Azure, as they are a key component of Azure Data Factory and Synapse Analytics, facilitating smooth data flows between various services.