DBPro - Public CTP for Service Release 1 released.

Ok, let's do the big news first...

The One and Only Public CTP for DB Pro's Service Release 1 - has gone live!

Since we just RTM'd version 1 in December, this is a public CTP of our first Service Release. But it does more than address a few bugs. It has some cool new features that we just didn't have time to get into our original release.

First of all, we now have extensive support for three and four part names in DB Pro. By using a slick custom referencing system, we are able to resolve three and four part names between multiple projects - even if you don't have all the projects in your current solution. We do this by generating a special assembly-like metadata file that contains the necessary information to support the resolution, which can be included as a reference in your project.

Second, we expanded support for filegroups and the files that make them up. Specifically, in version 1 of DB Pro, Filegroups were handled as a special type of schema object, with their own .filegroups.sql script file. Now, filegroups and their associated files are a part of the database project properties page, and may be defined and referenced in a new UI.

We also added additional support of SQLCmd variables - the ones you define with SETVAR in a SQLCmd script - allowing you to use them for increased flexibility in defining names and deployments. They are also a crucial part of the implementation of the first two features.

Pointers to further documentation and links can be found on Gert's blog here. In addition, here is a link to the download itself. Note that it requires Visual Studio Team System SP1 to work properly - check out the Release Notes.

We're anticipating going to RTM with this Service Release in early June - so this CTP is just a taste. Try it out, and let us know your feedback on the forums!