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What is a sandbox?

dl smith 0 Reputation points
2025-10-20T01:54:31.0633333+00:00

I see continue references made to a sandbox, but with no explanation description or an instance of the word that in my limited knowledge as a beginner that connects it to Microsoft or Micrsoft product or process. So, simply - What is a sandbox?

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  1. Nikhil Jha (Accenture International Limited) 2,220 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-10-21T08:27:18.4+00:00

    Hello dl smith,

    Thank you for sharing your feedback and taking the time to explain your experience — I completely understand how confusing it can feel when technical terms like “sandbox” appear without a clear explanation, especially if you’re just getting started.
    Your point about having a glossary or clearer definitions on Microsoft Learn is very valid and appreciated.

    In the context of Microsoft products and cloud services, a sandbox refers to:

    • An isolated environment where you can safely experiment, test, or develop solutions without affecting production systems.
    • It is commonly used for:
      • Learning and training (e.g., Microsoft Learn provides sandbox environments for hands-on labs).
        • Testing new features or code before deploying to live environments.
        • Sandboxes are temporary and often come with restricted permissions to prevent unintended changes to organizational resources.

    Think of it as a safe playground for trying things out without risk to your real data or systems.

    I would suggest you some recommendation:

    1. Exploring Microsoft Learn Sandboxes
      • Many learning paths include Azure sandboxes for hands-on exercises without requiring your own subscription.
      • These sandboxes are free and automatically cleaned up after use.
    2. Checking Glossary and Documentation

    Please accept the answer and upvote for visibility to other community members.

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