SQL Server 2008 RTM

I got your attention didn't I?

Unfortunately the news in this post is not as good. The guys from the Data Platform Insider blog posted a 'Roadmap Clarification' for SQL Server 2008 and I am afraid it has a sad statement: "Microsoft is excited to deliver a feature complete CTP during the Heroes Happen Here launch wave and a release candidate (RC) in Q2 calendar year 2008, with final Release to manufacturing (RTM) of SQL Server 2008 expected in Q3. Our goal is to deliver the highest quality product possible and we simply want to use the time to meet the high bar that you, our customers, expect."

Is it really a sad statement? I think we can all agree that we need the highest quality product for our projects. Apart from this I think many of us still want to implement a lot of SQL Server 2005 features where we have not gotten around too. The leap from SQL Server 2000 to SQL Server 2005 was quite a large one and many projects are still running SQL Server 2000 or did 'simple' migrations to SQL Server 2005. Because SQL Server 2008 builds on the SQL Server 2005 strength the move will be less complicated so maybe we should start implementing those very needed SQL Server 2005 features and have some patience for SQL Server 2008 to come out.

Nevertheless I want to play with data compression so get the next CTP ready please :-)

SQL Server 2005 Best Practices Analyzer (January 2008)

In case you have not noticed yet, the SQLCat team has released a new version of the Best Practices Analyzer. Among other things it contains 60+ new rules and the Analysis Services rules have been updated so they match the Best Practices warnings in BIDS 2008.

More information can be found here and the download can be found here.