The SQL Server platform expanded substantially with the arrival of SQL Server 2005, introducing many features that people now rely on every day (Try-Catch error handling, DDL triggers), as well as a few that captured people’s attention but ultimately left many scratching their heads (CLR integration).

SQL Server 2008, just released, is not a radical product in the same way as SQL Server 2005. Of course, there have been polite murmurs of interest around such features as Resource Governor, Transparent Data Encryption, table-valued parameters, policy-based management, the new GIS data types and functions, data and backup compression, and the MERGE statement. However, in terms of added bells and whistles, there seems not to be a standout reason to upgrade to SQL 2008, and maybe this is not a bad thing.

With SQL 2008, the improvements are more of a massive tidy-up. Without a doubt, SQL Server 2008 is a much better, and more usable, product than its predecessor and one that most of us will be happy to move to because there is no demand for any code re-engineering, or radical cultural changes in the users. SS 2008 works much like SS 2005, but with the lumps ironed out.

It’s clear that most parts of the system have had been refined. The improvements to Reporting services, SSAS and SSIS are typical; no real fireworks, but everything just works a little better and faster. Some new features that have not been given much publicity are quite astonishing, my personal favorite being the new data mining add-ins for Office 2007, which really do make light work of some complex analysis, and do so with quite a bit of style.

It is easy to joke that SQL Server 2008 is a strange name for the biggest Service Pack ever, but there is a certain truth in that. There isn’t any reason to stay with SQL Server 2005, just as it is generally wise to apply the latest service pack. Unencumbered by any of the wild changes in the features that we saw in the development of SQL Server 2005, SQL 2008 has slid quietly into view showing all the hallmarks of a product that has been driven by the requests of the ordinary user rather than the bleatings of the large corporate users.

As always, we’d love to hear what you think. Maybe you agree, or maybe you’re actually rather disappointed with the limited scope of the SQL 2008, or the lack of advancements in areas such as reporting services. Either way, we look forward to your comments. The best entry will receive a $50 Amazon voucher

Cheers,

Tony.