Do we pay just for qurery run duration while using databricks serverless sql ?

[RahulChaubey]

While using databricks serverless sql to run queries does we only pay for the compute resources during the run duration of the query ?

[RahulChaubey]

If once the query completes, the allocated compute resources are released, and you are no longer billed for them. then what is the significance of auto stop mins for sql warehouses ?

[artsheiko]

Hi Rahul,

The first query sent to SQL Serverless Warehouse will face a cold start of 2-6 seconds. The second query, third etc queries will be executed without this delay.

The auto-stop configuration controls how much time the warehouse would remain in running state. Once auto-stop will initiate the termination action, the next query will again wait for 2-6 seconds to re-start the compute.

Also, while the warehouse remains alive, you benefit from an in-memory cache. This allows repetitive queries to be executed faster until the auto-termination period is over. If the warehouse is stopped, we lose the cache in question.

Let me know if it's clear.

Best,