SysDA is a data access abstraction layer. Instead of writing raw SQL or direct select statements, SysDA lets developers build queries through objects (SysDaQuery, SysDaSelect, SysDaWhere, etc.).

Some benefits are:

• Safer SQL generation
• Better performance optimizations by the platform
• Database-agnostic query logic
• Protection against SQL injection

It essentially converts X++ query intent into SQL at runtime, while the platform can optimize or change behavior without code rewrites.

The SysDA framework was made available 2019 and there are a few blogposts and docs relevant to read to understand the benefits:

2019 – Michael Fruergaard Pontoppidan – SysDa – a new X++ query API

2021 – Peter Villadsen – The SysDA framework

Docs – Access data by using the SysDa classes

But when I look at both Microsoft code, ISV code and Partner code, I see a very low uptake on using this framework.  Why ?  The benefits are huge.  Especially on performance.  Nathan Clouse did perform tests in 2023 on Database Inserts and Performance and did show in the comparison blog post show real performance gains. As Nathan writes:

“for inserting records makes SysDA appear to be a no-brainer for workloads that demand high performance”

Despite the clear technical advantages, community adoption of SysDA has remained relatively low because most developers are already deeply invested in classic select statements and QueryBuild classes, which have worked reliably for decades. SysDA arrived late in the F&O lifecycle, shipped with limited documentation, minimal samples, and almost no public benchmarks showing real performance gains.

Without strong Microsoft advocacy, training, or tooling support, many assume SysDA adds complexity without offering tangible benefits. In addition, it is harder to debug, unfamiliar to consultants who are not pure developers, and optional rather than mandated.

The result is a technology that solves real performance problems, but sits under-used because the learning curve appears high, the payoff isn’t visible, and most customers don’t know it exists.

Dear community and Microsoft;  Please use SysDA more!  We need more power.