SQL Server 2008 Release Moves to Third Quarter

The release date of SQL Server 2008 has been moved until the third calendar quarter, according to an article in The Data Platform Insider posted by Francois Ajenstat, director of marketing for SQL Server. In Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Roadmap Clarification he explains that a feature complete community technology preview (CTP) will ship during the Heroes Happen Here launch wave during the first quarter calendar year 2008, a release candidate (RC) in the second quarter, with final Release to manufacturing (RTM) of SQL Server 2008 expected in third quarter.

Ajenstat confirms the goal of shipping SQL Server 2008 within 24-36 months after SQL Server 2005. “We are on track to reach this goal.”

New features in SQL Server 2008 include scalability improvements, resource governor, Filestream, spatial data support, data compression, policy-based management and more.