SQL Server 2017 available for download

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Final version of SQL Server 2017 is available for download. New version of SQL Server has a lot of enhancements compared to the previous version.

In this post will be highlighted some of the new features that are available:

Cross-platform support - you can run SQL Server 2017 on Windows, Linux, and Docker containers.

Built-in intelligence - SQL Server supports Python and native scoring using PREDICT function.

T-SQL Language enhancements - There are several enhancements in T-SQL language such as graph processing, new string functions (TRIM, TRANSLATE, CONCAT_WS), and aggregate (STRING_AGG) new Japanese collations that are unique in database market.

Intelligent query processing - Automatic tuning continuously monitors query performance and forces previous plans if some performance regression is detected. Execution of Multi-statement Table value functions is faster thanks to the interleaved execution. Batch mode processing now includes adaptive join operators and leverages memory grant feedback information to execute plans more efficiently.

Column-store enhancements - Clustered columnstore indexes support LOB types and enable you to compress your NVARCHAR(MAX), VARCHAR(MAX) and VARBINARY(MAX) columns up to 25x ratio, non-persisted computed columns enable you to put calculated expressions directly in table definitions,  NONCLUSTERED COLUMNSTORE indexes support online build/rebuild.

In-memory OLTP  enhancements - Memory optimized tables now support computed columns, naively compiled modules support new string and JSON functions, CASE statement, and WITH TIES.

Native import enhancements - BULK INSERT and OPENROWSET enable you to and to load files from Azure Blob Storage. Also, import functions are able to parse real CSV files and correctly process quoted characters.

Better monitoring - Query Store now provides you information about wait stats and a lot of new DMVs are added.

These are just some of the new features that are available in SQL Server 2017. You can find more information about new features in SQL Server 2017 here.