Under the hood: an introduction to the Native Execution Engine for Microsoft Fabric

Under the hood: an introduction to the Native Execution Engine for Microsoft Fabric

Under the hood: an introduction to the Native Execution Engine for Microsoft Fabric

Original URL: https://blog.fabric.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/under-the-hood-an-introduction-to-the-native-execution-engine-for-microsoft-fabric/

Article Written: February 23, 2026

Added: March 4, 2026

Type: tech1

Summary

The article introduces the Native Execution Engine for Microsoft Fabric, designed to enhance Apache Spark's performance without requiring code changes. It explains the challenges faced by traditional Spark execution due to increasing data volumes and real-time processing demands. The Native Execution Engine leverages C++ and vectorized execution to optimize Spark workloads, particularly for columnar data formats like Parquet and Delta Lake. The integration of open-source technologies Velox and Apache Gluten is highlighted, showcasing significant performance improvements and cost savings for users.

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