Slashdot Mirror


MSSQL 2005 Finally Released

mnovotny writes "Computerworld reports that Microsoft is finally set to release their belated SQL Server 2005. From the article: 'Despite a two-year delay, several users who have tested the software cited the improved performance and new functionality it brings as positive developments that likely will convince them to upgrade soon.' The free version can be downloaded directly from Microsoft."

22 of 318 comments (clear)

  1. Before you release the hounds by jellomizer · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Before the Anti-Microsoft redirect gets out. Please take into accounts. Most People who choose MS SQL Server already have a windows network, Oracle is to expensive for their needs, MySQL 5 just was released with most of the functionality that was in MS SQL 2000, Not many good tools for PostGreSQL, Easier to integrate with .NET, and gives PHB the warm and fuzzies. I have been working with MS SQL 2000 and I must say I was surprising pleased with it, other then the POS that is called DTS, I never had any problems with SQL server, with it crashing or problems handling a lot of data, or configuring security. My only Fear with MS SQL 2005 is that it will break so much compatibility that we well need to redo a lot of stored procedures and all our working around for DTS.
    MS SQL Server Yes it is closed sources, I don't know what type of security holes they will find in it, It is defiantly bloated because it will not fit 5 1/2 single density floppy disk with enough rooms for a 2000 record table. If you already have MS SQL 2000 and in a year or so you need to upgrade it will probably be easer to go to 2005 them migrating to the others.

    --
    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    1. Re:Before you release the hounds by kpharmer · · Score: 5, Informative

      > Do you have any idea how much Oracle actually costs, compared to a Windows Server licence?

      Three years ago I faced a $120k charge to upgrade a four-cpu SQL Server7 server to SQL Server 2000.

      Was this cheaper than oracle?

      Eh, not really - first off, I could have implemented oracle on a two-way server instead of a four-way and gotten equiv performance (search engine queries). Secondly, I could probably have gotten the oracle licenses down to $20k a cpu.

      Oracle now has a *free* low-end database.

      These days I'm running a multi-terabyte data warehouse for hundreds of customers on db2 - and it's *far* cheaper than SQL Server. Since db2 bundles most of their top-end capabilities into even the smallest version, I could run my warehouse on the db2 express version for $1500 (total).

      So yeah, sometimes sql server is the cheapest solution. But it often isn't.

      And then comes the topic of vendor lock-in. With db2 or oracle if you want to move to another database later on it isn't such a big deal. I can move most of my apps between oracle, db2, postgresql, sybase, etc fairly easily. Non-standard sql behavior in mysql are a pain in the butt. And any microsoft *platform* code in mssqlserver are a pain in the butt.

    2. Re:Before you release the hounds by hey! · · Score: 5, Informative

      My pet peeve is that bound parameters don't work in subqueries. We have tons of rather sophisticated SQL in our legacy apps; most of them can be rewritten to work on every platform except MSSQL, although often the bound parameter subquery issue can be skirted by rewriting the query as a grouped left outer join.

      My other pet peeve is that T-SQL is so danged orthagonal. It's not that you can't do anything you'd want to do in the language (setting aside the things that are supposed to work but don't). It's just that you have to keep going to the manual to find out what construct works in which context.

      On the other hand, I think most people using relational databases aren't doing very sophisticated RDBMS stuff -- at least in the DB tier. So for those people integration with the MS toolchain is probably more useful than having capabilities they don't use work.

      --
      Post may contain irony: discontinue use if experiencing mood swings, nausea or elevated blood pressure.
  2. Free 'Express' editions released by RonnyJ · · Score: 5, Informative
    As well as the free SQL Server Express Edition, Microsoft have also just released the 'Visual Studio Express Editions', available for free.

    You can download 'web installers' I believe, but ISO images are here

    1. Re:Free 'Express' editions released by RonnyJ · · Score: 4, Informative
      A quick addition - apparently, you need to register with Microsoft to get a product key for these Express editions.

      However, it seems as if the ISO images may not need such a product key, as this item from that link states:

      If you need to install and use an Express Edition on a computer that is not connected to the Internet, you will need to create an installation CD using the CD ISO (IMG) files that are available on the Express site. The installation CD you create will then allow you to install an Express Edition on a computer that is not connected to the Internet, and that Express Edition will not require a registration key for continued usage.

  3. Sigh. Stored procs in C# by Reality+Master+201 · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Stored procedures are one of those things that are like antibiotics or LSD - they're wonderful and valuable when handled carefully and responsibly, and cause big problems when they're not.

    The limited stored proc language that SQL server had before was actually a good thing; you could do some limited stuff in the DB. Thus, you weren't often able to give in to the tendency to stick application logic in the database tier.

    And this quote pretty much says it all: Raichura said the support for Microsoft's Common Language Runtime technology via Visual Studio will let him avoid having to go to multiple developers with different specialties. "I can natively write stored procedures straight into software," he said. "This increases my resource pool because it reduces the distinction between software developers and architects."

    Read: Now, I can pay people less to create a complete fucking pigsty that will perform well enough that the app will appear largely stable.

  4. My first impression... by BladeMelbourne · · Score: 5, Informative

    I installed SQL Server 2005 Enterprise downloaded from the MSDN last week.

    The Management Studio Interface is pretty good, although not as responsive as I would like on a 2.8 GHz P4. Thankfully stored procedures can be edited in a non-modal window (in tabs).

    SQL server also comes with MSXML 6 and SQLXML4. The upgrade analysis tool is very neat.

    Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional is much more CPU intensive than the Management Studio. They do look rather similar.

    Microsoft Visual SourceSafe 2005 has an updated inteface, however many screens still look the same.

  5. Open Source making waves... by rsborg · · Score: 5, Insightful
    As well as the free SQL Server Express Edition, Microsoft have also just released the 'Visual Studio Express Editions', available for free.

    Clearly, this (as well as news of Oracle's "free/lite" version of 10g), are good news... that Open Source projects like MySQL, PHP, PostgreSQL, etc are forcing the "cathedral" software shops to re-examine their ways, since they (Microsoft & others) can't rely on piracy anymore (due to impacted profits) to keep the "pipeline full" and "mindshare". It's good for the closed source developers, and ultimately it will be good for OSS developers, as OSS entries in these fields mature. Competition is good, and the developers benefit.

    --
    Make sure everyone's vote counts: Verified Voting
    1. Re:Open Source making waves... by LurkerXXX · · Score: 4, Informative
      Sorry. I hate to burst your bubble, but this isn't something new that OS 'forced' on MS. They have offered a free lightweight version of their database for some time. I've been using the free SQL 2000 version on machines for testing for years.

      This isn't some 'new thing' that MS is doing because it's running scared of OSS.

    2. Re:Open Source making waves... by ergo98 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Someone in Microsoft finally clued into the fact that giving away this software would make them far more money than selling it ever would.

      What utter nonsense.

      Firstly, as the other person mentioned - the thread was explicitly about SQL Server Express Edition, which is a variation of something that Microsoft has been doing since SQL Server 7 (when the MSDE first appeared). Not to mention things like the JET engine have always been freely distributable.

      Secondly, Microsoft has offered a free SDK/Platform SDK for years. This is a very comprehensive kit that can be used to develop software.

      The whole focus is wrong anyways - the Express editions of Visual Studio, which have some killer limitations (e.g. complete lack of optimization), are targetted at dabblers. These dabblers would never, in a million years, try getting going with Eclipse or the like. At the most they'd warez an ISO of Visual Studio Pro.

      Which brings up the next point - Microsoft has always been relatively hands off about piracy of Visual Studio. That is their tacit real "Free" version. Even Visual Studio 2005 doesn't include activation or any other anti-warez measures.

  6. Re:Sigh. Stored procs in C# by tonyr60 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    And paint them even further into a corner such that migration to another DB is next to impossible.

  7. SQL Server Reporting Services and Report Builder by Larthallor · · Score: 4, Informative

    One of the most exciting features in SQL Server 2005 for me is the new Report Builder. SQL Server 2005 includes a new ClickOnce WinForms app called Report Builder that allows end-users to design their own reports from a business-user friendly data model. It is very similar to Business Object's WebIntelligence for those of you familiar with that product, but with an apparently more affordable licensing arrangement.

    Essentially, the data architect takes the OLTP or data warehouse and abstracts it via metadata into Business entities with which end users are familiar. In Business Objects, this semantic layer is called a Business Universe and in SQLServer Reporting Services it's called the Data Model. Because this semantic layer understands how the data should be put together, it writes the underlying SQL necessary to give the user the answer they want. In principle and demos, it is very slick. We'll soon see how the two stack up in reality at my place of business, as we're setting up both this week to play with.

  8. Wow.. more mis-information... Again... by Dan_Bercell · · Score: 4, Informative
    Ok, ok, ok... People, we have talked about this last week.

    http://developers.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=166 851&cid=13914395

    Clearly, this (as well as news of Oracle's "free/lite" version of 10g), are good news... that Open Source projects like MySQL, PHP....

    MS HAS ALWAYS OFFERED A FREE DATABASE ENGINE, its no secret. SQl Server 2005 Express is just the new version of this product which has been available for years. Because of its easy transition to Sql Server its used a lot as a started Database for companies trying to sell in the SBM market. A lot of software application make use of MSDE (which is what the engine was called before Express edition)

    For more information here http://www.microsoft.com/sql/msde/default.mspx

    Now as for the Express editions being free... They are not (someone let me know if I am wrong here). They cost like 40 bucks or so, I had the beta installed on my system, once beta was over it prompted me to register/pay for it within 30 days..etc the usual MS registration.

  9. Re:Sigh. Stored procs in C# by LurkerXXX · · Score: 4, Informative

    Keeping the business logic out of the database may be good for you if the only thing your database ever talks to is a web app, but lots of us have databases that talk to a LOT of different applications. Rather than reinvent the wheel implementing the buisness logic in a million apps, we keep it in the database, where it keeps everthing consistant, no matter what app is talking to the database, and where it can run fast.

  10. Feature changes from MSDE 2000 to SQL express? by Precipitous · · Score: 5, Informative

    It appears that MS has done some interesting feature shuffling in their various free editions.

    http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinfo/features/com pare-features.mspx

    Has anyone out their tested out what is available in SQL express as far as job scheduling , DTS (now ETL) and replication?
    Does anyone want to flame me for unashamedly using MS SQL?

    As best as I can tell from their spec sheet, the following features of MSDE 2000 are not available in SQL Express:
    * No job scheduler in SQL express. SQLAgent worked fine in MSDE 2000.
    * Replication: MSDE for SQL could public and subscribe (as far as I understand), while SQL Express 2005 can only subscribe.
    * They've changed the name of DTS to "Enterprise ETL Platform" or SSIS or something. While I haven't tested it out yet, it appears that DTS functionality is limited to basic import and export. For the really useful stuff (DTS to web services, for example) you need the pro edition.

    Added:
    * A user interface. MSDE 2000 basically had none. If you didn't have visual studio, or a developer's license to MSSQL, or some 3rd party administration and query tool, you basically had to use osql (command line).
    * You get 4GB instead of 2GB.

    Now, I have access to a few large corporate MS SQL servers, so this shouldn't really be a problem. However, large corporate servers have complex change-control processes.

    Consequently, I rely on the desktop editions for all my ad-hoc stuff, development, and stuff that hasn't quite made it to production. I also run a database for a non-profit on MSDE, and was hoping to keep the replication features while moving up to SQL Express.

    --
    My motto: "A cat is no trade for integrity."
  11. Re: "Not many good tools for PostGreSQL" by brennz · · Score: 5, Informative

    This must be in satire, or ignorance.

    Postgresql has a great variety of tools, both OSS and commercial that work great. I've been working on an updated list of all the tools. Here are a few of the most popular admin tools:

    PGadminIII
    http://www.sqlmanager.net/products/postgresql/mana ger

    DBvisualizer
    http://www.minq.se/products/dbvis/

    EMS Postgresql Manager
    http://www.sqlmanager.net/products/postgresql/mana ger

    PHPpgadmin
    http://sourceforge.net/projects/phppgadmin

    Sybase Power Designer
    http://www.sybase.com/products/enterprisemodeling/ powerdesigner

    ERWIN data modeller
    http://www3.ca.com/Solutions/Product.asp?ID=260

    CASE Studio 2
    http://www.casestudio.com/enu/default.aspx

    Postgresql has a vibrant tool community. If you want more info on Postgresql tools see
    http://techdocs.postgresql.org/v2/Guides/PostgreSQ L%20GUI%20Tools/document_view

  12. The biggest are (for SQL) by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 4, Informative

    1) 1GB of RAM usage maximum.
    2) 1 Processor usabe maximum (unlimited cores though).
    3) 4GB total DB size maximum.

    There are other limits too, like it can't do some enterprise things like a DB cluster, but the major ones are the size and processing limitation. So it would probably work as a web backend, but wouldn't scale without buying a bigger version.

  13. Interesting? by codepunk · · Score: 4, Funny

    A database release especially a MS database is about as interesting as somebody releasing a new ftp client.

    --


    Got Code?
  14. Re:Sigh. Stored procs in C# by EraserMouseMan · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You must not be into Object Oriented programming where you separate out the logic into tiers: Persistence Layer, Biz Logic Layer and Presentation Layer. Also, you must have been a DB admin before you were an app developer. Or maybe you've never been an app developer.

  15. Re:Here's hoping by Swamii · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The MiniMSFT blog you link to has a tendancy to report the negatives only. For instance, the blog post links to Wesner Moise's post regarding some VS 2005 bugs he'd found. What is not as well publicized is Wesner's next post, in which he says,

    "Despite the few hiccups, I am enjoying VS 2005 and have been able to work with it productively. VS 2005 is stable and performant, and it's better to have it arrive now rather than later. The runtime is solid, and various products across Microsoft and outside also depend on it being delivered on a timely basis."

    Yes, I've found a few minor hiccups in VS2005 as well. But honestly, it's nothing like MiniMSFT would have it seem. I can't speak for everyone, but VS2005 has been solid for us since RTM (we were a MS beta tester from Beta 1 through RTM), and we're very happy with its current form.

    --
    Tech, life, family, faith: Give me a visit
  16. Say goodbye to the 80's by 3770 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It is pretty easy to scale most things in a big n-tier system. Just buy more servers. The database however is really hard to scale. You quickly get to a point where twice the money will buy you only very little extra performance.

    Therefore I treat the database as the "sacred resource". This almost always means that business logic is kept outside the database.

    Your approach was right in the 80's when client/server was the norm. Today you should have an n-tier system and have the business logic in an application server.

    You can still have lots of different applications while using centralized code. Only, now you call the application server instead of the database.

    --
    The Internet is full. Go Away!!!
  17. Hahaha... *sigh* by Z34107 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Here's hoping it went through more testing than VS2005 did...

    Did you actually use VC2005, or did you just read a crappy blog entry and assume it fact >.<

    Here's the scoop: I've used the VC2005 betas for about two months now. They work fine. No, seriously. Never once did I have a crash. Never once did it corrupt my hard drive. And never once did it kill a penguin. Guys, seerisnah.

    Granted, it takes a teensy bit longer to boot than EMACS, but it has a lot of nice features. Like the oft-maligned "intellisense" - it's nice having the function/method/class prototypes at your fingertips as you fill in a function. Or the new, secure versions of strcpy(), memcpy(), and others. It can compile code for a wide variety of applications, such as:

    • Standard console programs (duh)
    • Windows programs(duh)
      • EFI stuff:
      • EFI applications
      • EFI boot service drivers
      • EFI ROMs
      • EFI Runtimes
    • Posix
    • Windows CE programs

    It also supports a wide variety of CPUs:

    • The x86 (duh)
    • AM33
    • ARM
    • EBC
    • IA64
    • M32R
    • MIPS
    • MIPS16
    • MPISFPU
    • MIPSFPU16
    • MIPSR41XX
    • SH3
    • SH3DSP
    • SH4
    • SH5
    • THUMB
    • AMD64

    Fairly impressive, all considering. Although I don't write multi-threaded apps, it does have some nice debugging tools for creating them, a nice GUI for those too lazy to write their own resource scripts, and a nifty-as-all-hell IDE. Contrary to popular opinion, it's stable as all hell, has more features than a nerd's Swiss Army Knife and creates fast code. Quite frankly, for those who actually program, it's a dream - and Microsoft released a beta that any of you could have download from http://msdn.microsoft.com/ (The free and fully-functional Beta is closed now. What, you don't regularly check Microsoft Developer's Network here? :-D)

    So... All the VC2005 bashing seems to come from a blind hatred of Microsoft (remember, Bill Gates created his empire coding from his garage, like any proper geek would) and a blind belief in anything that will bash Microsoft. If you actually use VC2005, it's wonderful.

    But wait, you can! You can download the "Express Edition" free (as in beer) from here. I don't know how much the "Express Edition" differs from the full product, but if you guys are going to whine about something, at least use it first

    --
    DATABASE WOW WOW