If you remember about 8 years ago, there was a major shake-up with SQL Server features that were added in to the product. Similar to that momemntum SQL Server 2016 caught up with a leap forward into data platform history.
Naming few highlights of SQL Server 2016 are: operational analytics (real-time), build visualisations with few clicks, stream visualisation on the devices, built-in advanced analytics, secured and opportunity for hybrid cloud scenarios. If you are a data scientist then start getting used to SQL Server, which includes enhanced in-memory performance and R services along with stretch DB (OLTP) to the cloud to simplify management of relational and non-relational data.
Two easy steps to get hands-on with 2016 version:
- Download SQL Server 2016, from the Evaluation Center.
- Have an Azure account? Spin up a Virtual Machine here with SQL Server 2016 already installed!
- For DBAs – get the latest version of SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
Catch up with the content to know about:
AdventureWorks Sample Databases and Scripts for SQL Server 2016 CTP3
Hardware and Software Requirements for Installing SQL Server 2016
What’s New in Database Engine (Core Relational)
What’s New in Analysis Services (SSAS)
What’s New in Integration Servies (SSIS)
Dive into Data Quality Services (DQS)
What’s New in Reporting Services (SSRS)
What’s New in Master Data Services (MDS)
Dive into SQL Server R Services (R) & Microsoft R Server (MR)
SQL Server videos on Channel 9
So far SQL Server 2016 travelled from:
- SQL Server 2016 Release Candidate 3 (RC3)
- SQL Server 2016 Release Candidate 2 (RC2)
- SQL Server 2016 Release Candidate 1 (RC1)
- SQL Server 2016 Release Candidate 0 (RC0)
- SQL Server 2016 Community Technology Preview 3.0 (CTP 3.0)
- SQL Server 2016 Community Technology Preview 2.0 (CTP 2.0)
The majority of new features were added until RC2, as RC3 contains improvements and bug fixes and other work to increase the stability and reliability of SQL Server 2016. So keep watching this space to know general availability of SQL Server 2016 soon.
Before closing the topic I would like to highligh the importance of support life-cycle of SQL Server product, as you can check Mainstream Support for SQL Server 2012 and search about other versions as well!