Hey Dev! If you are a software developer, chances are that you have worked with one or more versions of MS SQL Server. It is a relational database management system developed by Microsoft. In this article, I will walk you through the various versions of MS SQL Server and their unique features.
MS SQL Server 4.21a
MS SQL Server 4.21a was released in the early 1990s. It was the first version of MS SQL Server to be released to the public. This version came with basic features like support for client-server architecture, transactions, and views. However, it lacked support for stored procedures and triggers.
Despite its limitations, MS SQL Server 4.21a was a huge success in the early days of client-server architecture. It paved the way for future releases of MS SQL Server.
Table 1: Key Features of MS SQL Server 4.21a
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
Client-server architecture |
Support for client-server architecture |
Transactions |
Support for transactions |
Views |
Support for views |
MS SQL Server 7.0
MS SQL Server 7.0 was released in 1998. It was the first version of MS SQL Server to come with support for stored procedures and triggers. This version also introduced the concept of data transformation services (DTS), which allowed for easy data import and export.
MS SQL Server 7.0 was a huge success and propelled MS SQL Server to greater heights in the world of relational database management systems.
Table 2: Key Features of MS SQL Server 7.0
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
Stored procedures |
Support for stored procedures |
Triggers |
Support for triggers |
Data transformation services (DTS) |
Support for data import and export |
MS SQL Server 2000
MS SQL Server 2000 was released in 2000. This version came with support for XML and HTTP, which allowed for easy integration with web-based applications. MS SQL Server 2000 also introduced the concept of indexed views, which improved query performance.
MS SQL Server 2000 was a major improvement over its predecessor and cemented MS SQL Server’s position as a leading relational database management system.
Table 3: Key Features of MS SQL Server 2000
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
XML support |
Support for XML |
HTTP support |
Support for HTTP |
Indexed views |
Support for indexed views |
MS SQL Server 2005
MS SQL Server 2005 was released in 2005. This version came with significant improvements in security, management, and performance. It introduced the concept of database mirroring, which provided a failover mechanism for high availability.
MS SQL Server 2005 was a game changer and solidified MS SQL Server’s position as a leading relational database management system.
Table 4: Key Features of MS SQL Server 2005
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
Database mirroring |
Support for failover mechanism |
Improved security |
Better security features |
Improved management |
Better management tools |
MS SQL Server 2008
MS SQL Server 2008 was released in 2008. This version came with significant improvements in business intelligence, scalability, and performance. It introduced the concept of policy-based management, which allowed for easy configuration management.
MS SQL Server 2008 was a major improvement over its predecessor and solidified MS SQL Server’s position as a leading relational database management system.
Table 5: Key Features of MS SQL Server 2008
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
Policy-based management |
Support for easy configuration management |
Improved business intelligence |
Better business intelligence tools |
Improved scalability and performance |
Better performance and scalability features |
MS SQL Server 2008 R2
MS SQL Server 2008 R2 was released in 2010. This version came with significant improvements in reporting, analysis, and data warehousing. It introduced the concept of multi-server management, which allowed for easy management of multiple servers.
MS SQL Server 2008 R2 was a major improvement over its predecessor and solidified MS SQL Server’s position as a leading relational database management system.
Table 6: Key Features of MS SQL Server 2008 R2
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
Multi-server management |
Support for easy management of multiple servers |
Improved reporting |
Better reporting tools |
Improved analysis and data warehousing |
Better analysis and data warehousing tools |
MS SQL Server 2012
MS SQL Server 2012 was released in 2012. This version came with significant improvements in availability, manageability, and business intelligence. It introduced the concept of always on, which provided a failover mechanism for high availability.
MS SQL Server 2012 was a major improvement over its predecessor and solidified MS SQL Server’s position as a leading relational database management system.
Table 7: Key Features of MS SQL Server 2012
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
Always on |
Support for failover mechanism |
Improved manageability |
Better management tools |
Improved business intelligence |
Better business intelligence tools |
MS SQL Server 2014
MS SQL Server 2014 was released in 2014. This version came with significant improvements in performance, security, and availability. It introduced the concept of in-memory OLTP, which improved transactional performance.
MS SQL Server 2014 was a major improvement over its predecessor and solidified MS SQL Server’s position as a leading relational database management system.
Table 8: Key Features of MS SQL Server 2014
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
In-memory OLTP |
Improved transactional performance |
Improved security |
Better security features |
Improved availability |
Better availability features |
MS SQL Server 2016
MS SQL Server 2016 was released in 2016. This version came with significant improvements in performance, scalability, and security. It introduced the concept of query store, which allowed for easy query analysis.
MS SQL Server 2016 was a major improvement over its predecessor and solidified MS SQL Server’s position as a leading relational database management system.
Table 9: Key Features of MS SQL Server 2016
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
Query store |
Support for easy query analysis |
Improved performance |
Better performance features |
Improved scalability |
Better scalability features |
MS SQL Server 2017
MS SQL Server 2017 was released in 2017. This version came with significant improvements in performance, security, and availability. It introduced the concept of graph database, which allowed for easy management of graph data.
MS SQL Server 2017 was a major improvement over its predecessor and solidified MS SQL Server’s position as a leading relational database management system.
Table 10: Key Features of MS SQL Server 2017
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
Graph database |
Support for easy management of graph data |
Improved performance |
Better performance features |
Improved security and availability |
Better security and availability features |
MS SQL Server 2019
MS SQL Server 2019 was released in 2019. This version came with significant improvements in performance, security, and availability. It introduced the concept of big data clusters, which allowed for easy management of big data.
MS SQL Server 2019 was a major improvement over its predecessor and solidified MS SQL Server’s position as a leading relational database management system.
Table 11: Key Features of MS SQL Server 2019
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
Big data clusters |
Support for easy management of big data |
Improved performance |
Better performance features |
Improved security and availability |
Better security and availability features |
FAQs
What is MS SQL Server?
MS SQL Server is a relational database management system developed by Microsoft.
What are the different versions of MS SQL Server?
The different versions of MS SQL Server are MS SQL Server 4.21a, MS SQL Server 7.0, MS SQL Server 2000, MS SQL Server 2005, MS SQL Server 2008, MS SQL Server 2008 R2, MS SQL Server 2012, MS SQL Server 2014, MS SQL Server 2016, MS SQL Server 2017, and MS SQL Server 2019.
What are the key features of MS SQL Server?
The key features of MS SQL Server include client-server architecture, transactions, views, stored procedures, triggers, data transformation services (DTS), XML support, HTTP support, indexed views, policy-based management, business intelligence, scalability, performance, availability, in-memory OLTP, query store, and graph database.
Which version of MS SQL Server should I use?
The version of MS SQL Server depends on your specific requirements. Consider factors like performance, security, scalability, and availability before choosing a version.
How do I upgrade from one version of MS SQL Server to another?
Upgrading from one version of MS SQL Server to another can be a complex process. It is recommended to consult a professional before doing so.
Conclusion
MS SQL Server has come a long way since its early days. With every new version, it has brought significant improvements in performance, security, and availability. Choosing the right version of MS SQL Server depends on your specific requirements. I hope this article has provided you with valuable insights into the various versions of MS SQL Server and their unique features.