Technical requirements
To create a free Azure account, you will need a Microsoft or GitHub account. If you need to create a Microsoft account, head over to https://account.microsoft.com/account and create one. If you don’t want to create a Microsoft account, you can log in to Azure using your GitHub credentials.
Besides the Microsoft (or GitHub) account, you will also need to provide a credit card and a phone number to create your Azure account. These details are needed, even if you are not charged, to verify that you are a real person, so make sure you have that at hand when you create your Azure account. Debit cards are also accepted in most countries, except for Brazil and Hong Kong SAR. Keep in mind that Azure Synapse is not one of the free services included with the Azure free account, so you will be charged for the experiments you make – except if you’re eligible for the $200 offer (which will be detailed in this chapter), but make sure to keep your expenses...