Microsoft has made available preview software for the next
release of SQL Server, under its Community Technology Preview (CTP)
programme.
The preview code for Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 is available
for MSDN and TechNet subscribers. Microsoft said it would
release a public version of the CTP by August 17 from the
TechNet Eval Center. Versions are available for 32-bit and 64-bit
processors, Microsoft said.
The new version allows end-users to publish their data-driven
applications through SharePoint. Microsoft said users can create
their own analytic applications through Gemini, an Excel 2010
add-in that allows users to manipulate millions of rows of data in
a single Excel workbook to simplify data analysis.
SQL Server 2008 R2 also provides application and multi-server
management, which Microsoft said would improve the efficiency of
database administrators and developers.
