Microsoft has released the SQL Server code name “Denali” Community Technical Preview 3 (CTP3) Product Guide. The 400+MB download contains the latest datasheets, white papers, click-through and auto-running demonstrations, hands-on lab previews, technical presentations, and other useful links to help you evaluate the SQL Server “Denali” CTP3 release. The Product Guide organizes the content for easier viewing.
Download Denali Product Guide
SQL Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) is now available for download. SQL Server 2008 R2 service packs are cumulative updates and upgrade all service levels of SQL Server 2008 R2 to SP1. New features include:
- Dynamic Management Views for increased supportability
- ForceSeek for improved querying performance
- Data-tier Application Component Framework (DAC Fx) for improved database upgrades
- Disk space control for PowerPivot
- Numerous bug fixes and performance improvements
Download SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1
An update is now available for SQL Server JDBC Driver 3.0, a Type 4 JDBC driver that provides database connectivity through the standard JDBC application program interfaces (APIs) available in Java Platform, Enterprise Edition 5 and above. This version of SQL Server JDBC Driver 3.0 adds support for SQL Azure.
Download JDBC Driver 3.0
Microsoft Press has released 3 free eBooks:
Moving to Microsoft Visual Studio 2010
(DRAFT Preview II)
Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2
Programming Windows Phone 7 Series
(DRAFT Preview) by Charles Petzold
WebMatrix is a collection of tools that enable you to build websites using Windows. WebMatrix includes IIS Developer Express (a development Web server), ASP.NET (a Web framework), and SQL Server Compact (an embedded database). It streamlines website development and makes it easy to start websites from popular open-source apps.
New features in Beta 2 include:
- Build standalone ASP.NET web pages using Razor syntax
- Improved project templates for common scenarios
- Helper functions for Google Analytics, Facebook, LinkShare, Captcha, Twitter and others
Download WebMatrix
SSMS Tools Pack is a free add-in for Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 2005, 2008, 2008 R2 and their respective Express versions. It contains a few upgrades to the SSMS IDE that were thought to be missing. Current features include:
- SQL Snippets
- Window Connection Coloring
- Query Execution History and Current Window History
- Format SQL
- Search Table, View or Database Data
- Run one script on multiple databases
- Copy execution plan bitmaps to clipboard or file
- Search Results in Grid Mode
- Generate Insert statements from resultsets, tables or database
- Regions and Debug sections
- Running custom scripts from Object Explorer
- CRUD stored procedure generation
- New query template
SSMS Tools Pack Homepage
WebMatrix is a collection of tools that enable you to build websites using Windows. WebMatrix includes IIS Developer Express (a development Web server), ASP.NET (a Web framework), and SQL Server Compact (an embedded database). It streamlines website development and makes it easy to start websites from popular open-source apps. The skills and code you develop with WebMatrix transition seamlessly to Visual Studio and SQL Server.
WebMatrix is for developers, students, or just about anyone who just wants a small and simple way to build websites. Start coding, testing, and deploying your own websites without having to worry about configuring your own web server, managing databases, or learning a lot of concepts. WebMatrix makes website development easy.
WebMatrix Home Page
Introducing WebMatrix by Scott Gu
Microsoft has released to manufacturing SQL Server 2008 R2, the industry’s most complete information platform for managing, accessing and delivering information. SQL Server 2008 R2 will be available to customers in early May through Microsoft’s distribution and partner channels.
To celebrate this release, Microsoft and the Professional Association for SQL Server will host more than 85 live launch events worldwide. For customers and partners who cannot attend a live event, Microsoft is offering an online digital tour.
Key enhancements in this release include:
- Managed self-service business intelligence (BI) for reporting and analysis
- Enterprise-class scalability and greater IT efficiency
- Platform integration spanning the datacenter to the cloud
Download Free Trial
FREE eBook
Microsoft has published another free ebook: Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2, by Ross Mistry and Stacia Misner.
Part I – Database Administration
- Chapter 1 – SQL Server 2008 R2 Editions and Enhancements
- Chapter 2 – Multi-Server Administration
- Chapter 3 – Data-Tier Applications
- Chapter 4 – High Availability and Virtualization Enhancements
- Chapter 5 – Consolidation and Monitoring
Part II – Business Intelligence Development
- Chapter 6 – Scalable Data Warehousing
- Chapter 7 – Master Data Services
- Chapter 8 – Complex Event Processing with StreamInsight
- Chapter 9 – Reporting Services Enhancements
- Chapter 10 – Self-Service Analysis with PowerPivot
Microsoft Free eBook
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Feature Pack, a collection of stand-alone install packages that provide additional value for SQL Server 2008, is now available for download. Features include:
- ADOMD.NET is a Microsoft .NET Framework object model that enables software developers to create client-side applications that browse metadata and query data stored in Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services.
- Analysis Management Objects (AMO) is a .NET Framework object model that enables software developers to create client-side applications to manage and administer Analysis Services objects.
- Analysis Services 10.0 OLE DB Provider is a COM component that software developers can use to create client-side applications that browse metadata and query data stored in Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services.
- SQL Server Compact is a free, easy-to-use embedded database engine that lets developers build robust Microsoft Windows desktop and mobile applications that run on all Windows operating systems including Windows XP, Vista, Pocket PC, and Smartphone.
And many more features!
Download SQL Server 2008 Feature Pack
