Second SQL Server 2008 Preview Released

A second community technical preview (CTP) could help developers investigate the use of SQL Server 2008 (previously code-named Katmai) as a storage engine for hierarchical data structures such as file systems. The CTP also debuts a variety of other new features planned for SQL Server 2008, giving database developers and administrators the opportunity to test and comment on those features before the product ships in the second quarter of 2008. However, some highly billed capabilities, such as support for geospatial data types, will not be available until one of three subsequent previews that will precede the product’s final release.

Reporting Services, Mirroring Improved

SQL Server is Microsoft’s database management system and business intelligence (BI) platform. Its last major overhaul was SQL Server 2005, which shipped in Nov. 2005. A first preview of its next major update, SQL Server 2008, was released in June 2007 and the final version of the product is due in the second quarter of 2008.