When we talk about a new fresh vision, we need to set the bar a little bit higher. Maybe, none of these technologies exist in SQL2005, but they do exist in the DBMS domain as a whole (perhaps with some exception for DMF). How's that a fresh new vision? Don't get me wrong, I have no doubt that SQL Server is a great product. But this talk of a fresh new vision is doing it a dis-service to SQL Server in my opinion when almost all of these technologies already exist in the DBMS domain.

What really bugs me is that the current list of really cool features is all Enterprise edition:

Backup compression

CDC

Audit

Performance Manager

Hot add memory/cpu

Data compression

the list goes on...

I'm sure some things will be moved from EE to SE, but not the stuff we've had to buy 3rd party utilities or roll code for.

C'mon MS...throw the SE users a bone or two!

Kevin3NF

>Hear much about CLR in SQL Server 2008?

That's because now it's called LINQ. And that's the real new fresh vision! :)

Good post, Paul.  A couple counterpoints - Microsoft made it quite clear during the SQL2005 release that this was the platform from which they'd be launching many new features and innovations to come.  So in a sense, I think you're earlier point that SQL2005 was #1 in a 1-2 punch is actually most accurate.  The most salient features that you point out in SQL2008 are, imo, tools features rather than DMBS features.  Consequently, what we're seeing is an improvement and strong departure in the mentality of the SQL Server tools, but not a major departure in the core DBMS features.

That's not to say that I'm trying to denegrate these innovations - far from it.  I've long advocated for a means of managing multiple serves at once, and PBM is awesome in this regards.  However, I feel like these new features (with the possible exception of compression, which is a competitive feature to keep up with what Oracle has offered for several releases) are primarily about the interaction between the user and the tools rather than the user and the DBMS.

Good stuff!

-Kev

>While I typically resonate with your posts

:)

>I think you've gone too far when comparing the CLR in SQL Server to Linq.

Yes I probably have but the points I usually try to make are moving targets here so perhaps you'll cut me some slack:)

Paul,

Could not disagree more.  SQL 2005 is completely different night/day compared to SQL 2000.  SSIS/SSAS/Management Studio all new apps.  Other than "this cool feauture x in 2008" what is really "completely re-written" new?

I could rattle away about 5 features of the top of my head that already exist in 3rd party apps that MS is "leveraging"...lets tackle 4 for now:

- Red-Gate intelisense (there's ur intelisense)

- Red-Gat backup (there is ur compression)

- BI Studio aggregation tab (bids helper already does this)

- HierarchyId (CLR sproc, u can write ur own in 2005)

I know there are a lot more features in 2008, but all of them seem like "eh thats nice...I am not buying/upgrading licenses anytime soon for this".

I can summarize in one sentence why 2008 is a "minor" release

2005 changed development/architecture/ado.net 2008 is not going to do that.