In the previous article, we discussed the first few versions of the Microsoft SQL Server, from the very beginning up until version 2005. Now, we will discuss what comes after, SQL Server 2008.
There are two version of this. One was released in 2008 and the other in 2011.
SQL Server 2008
In August 2008, SQL Server 2008 was released with the purpose of having a self-tuning, self maintaining and self organizing data management system. This is to enable the near-zero downtime that is in line with the development of the SQL Server Always On technology. Apart form that, this version also includes the following features:
- Support for both structured and semi-structured data (even digital media formats)
- Filestream data type that provides support for semi-structured and unstructured data (to allow filing references in the system)
- Provides data storage backend for a multitude of data: email, XML, file, time/calendar, spatial, document, etc. where structured and metadata are stored in the database while the unstructured data is in the file system
- Access of stored files through Win32 and T-SQL
- Performs search, query, sharing, synchronization and analysis across different data types
- Support for hierarchical data, including T-SQL constructs
- Integration of Full-text search with the database engine for a simple management and improvement in performance
- Dual storage of spatial data: flat earth data type (geospatial data) and round earth data type (ellipsoidal model)
- Improved compression features for better scalability, enhanced index algorithms and introduction of index filters
- Includes Resource Governor to allow resource reservation for specified users or workflows
- Capabilities for TDE or transparent encryption of data and backup compression
- Supports ADO.NET Entity Framework and the Entity Data Model reporting tools data definition and replication
- Charting capabilities due to the acquisition of Dundas Data Visualization, Inc by Microsoft, that gave access to data visualization products
- Includes Declarative Management Framework to allow the configuration of policies and constraints (either for entire database or select tables)
- Contains the SQL Server Management Studio versions that supports the IntelliSense for queries in SQL against the SQL Server 2008 Database Engine
- Database availability via providers of Windows PowerShell with management functions available in Cmdlets to allow management through this system
SQL Server 2008 R2
This version was released to be manufactured in 2010. It has two released, 2011 and 2012. It added features to the Server 2008 that includes the following:
- Master Data Services, a data management system for master data entities and hierarchies
- Multi Server Management as a central console for the management of multiple instances and services of SQL Server 2008
- New services like PowerPivot for SharePoint and Excel, Master Data Services, Report Builder 3.0, Reporting Services as a SharePoint add-in, StreamInsight, Visual Studio data-tier function, and Utility Control Point as a part of Application and Multi-Server Management (AMSM)
In the last article of this series about SQL Server versions, we will be discussing the latest 2: SQL Server 2012 and SQL Server 2014.
Information credited to Wikipedia.org
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