Welcome Devs, in this article, we will be discussing the SQL Server Version List. As we all know, SQL Server is a relational database management system developed by Microsoft, and it has been around for a long time. Since its inception, SQL Server has gone through numerous updates and releases, and keeping track of all the versions can be daunting. Therefore, this guide will provide you with a comprehensive list of SQL Server versions, their release dates, and features.
What is SQL Server?
SQL Server is a relational database management system (RDBMS) developed by Microsoft. RDBMS is a software system used to manage relational databases. SQL Server is designed to help you store, manage, and retrieve data from different databases. It uses Structured Query Language (SQL) to interact with databases, which allows you to create, update, and manipulate data.
What are the key features of SQL Server?
SQL Server comes with a range of features that make it one of the most popular database management systems in the world. Here are some of the key features:
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
High Availability |
SQL Server provides features like Always On Availability Groups and Failover Clustering to ensure high availability of databases. |
Scalability |
SQL Server can scale up to handle large databases with millions of records, and it can also scale out to distribute the load among multiple servers. |
Security |
SQL Server provides features such as encryption, auditing, and authentication to ensure the security of data. |
Business Intelligence |
SQL Server has features for business intelligence, such as Reporting Services, Analysis Services, and Integration Services. |
These are just a few of the many features that SQL Server provides. Now, let’s move on to the SQL Server version list.
SQL Server Version List
SQL Server has gone through numerous updates and releases since its inception. Here is a comprehensive list of SQL Server versions, their release dates, and features:
SQL Server 1.0 (1989)
SQL Server 1.0 was released in 1989, and it was the first version of SQL Server. It was designed to run on OS/2, and it was capable of handling small databases.
Features of SQL Server 1.0
Here are some of the features that were introduced in SQL Server 1.0:
- Data Import and Export
- Basic Querying
- Transaction Support
While these features may seem basic by today’s standards, they were a significant step forward at the time.
SQL Server 4.2 (1992)
SQL Server 4.2 was released in 1992, and it was the first version to be released for Windows. It was also the first version to support large databases.
Features of SQL Server 4.2
Here are some of the features that were introduced in SQL Server 4.2:
- Stored Procedures
- Triggers
- Referential Integrity
These features allowed developers to write more complex and efficient applications that could perform advanced database operations.
SQL Server 6.0 (1995)
SQL Server 6.0 was released in 1995, and it was a major update to SQL Server. It was designed to support large databases and provide new features that would make it easier for developers to work with data.
Features of SQL Server 6.0
Here are some of the features that were introduced in SQL Server 6.0:
- Data Warehousing
- GUI Management Tools
- Improved Query Optimization
These features made SQL Server more accessible to non-technical users, and it made it easier for developers to build more efficient applications.
SQL Server 7.0 (1998)
SQL Server 7.0 was released in 1998, and it was another major update to SQL Server. It was designed to provide better performance and scalability, and it introduced many new features.
Features of SQL Server 7.0
Here are some of the features that were introduced in SQL Server 7.0:
- Replication
- XML Support
- Online Analytical Processing (OLAP)
These features made SQL Server more powerful and flexible, and it opened up new possibilities for developers and businesses.
SQL Server 2000 (2000)
SQL Server 2000 was released in 2000, and it was another major update to SQL Server. It was designed to provide even better performance and scalability, and it introduced many new features.
Features of SQL Server 2000
Here are some of the features that were introduced in SQL Server 2000:
- Data Mining
- Active Server Pages (ASP) Integration
- Distributed Partitioned Views
These features made SQL Server more powerful and flexible, and it continued to open up new possibilities for developers and businesses.
SQL Server 2005 (2005)
SQL Server 2005 was released in 2005, and it was another major update to SQL Server. It was designed to provide better performance, scalability, and security, and it introduced many new features.
Features of SQL Server 2005
Here are some of the features that were introduced in SQL Server 2005:
- CLR Integration
- Service Broker
- SQL Server Management Studio
These features made SQL Server more versatile and powerful, and it continued to evolve to meet the changing needs of developers and businesses.
SQL Server 2008 (2008)
SQL Server 2008 was released in 2008, and it was another major update to SQL Server. It was designed to provide better performance, scalability, and security, and it introduced many new features.
Features of SQL Server 2008
Here are some of the features that were introduced in SQL Server 2008:
- Policies
- Resource Governor
- Data Compression
These features made SQL Server more powerful and flexible, and it continued to evolve to meet the changing needs of developers and businesses.
SQL Server 2008 R2 (2010)
SQL Server 2008 R2 was released in 2010, and it was a minor update to SQL Server 2008. It introduced a few new features and provided better support for newer versions of Windows.
Features of SQL Server 2008 R2
Here are some of the features that were introduced in SQL Server 2008 R2:
- Master Data Services
- StreamInsight
- Support for Windows 7/Windows Server 2008 R2
While these features were minor, they helped to improve the overall functionality of SQL Server.
SQL Server 2012 (2012)
SQL Server 2012 was released in 2012, and it was another major update to SQL Server. It was designed to provide better performance, scalability, and security, and it introduced many new features.
Features of SQL Server 2012
Here are some of the features that were introduced in SQL Server 2012:
- ColumnStore Indexes
- AlwaysOn Availability Groups
- Power View
These features made SQL Server more powerful and flexible, and it continued to evolve to meet the changing needs of developers and businesses.
SQL Server 2014 (2014)
SQL Server 2014 was released in 2014, and it was another major update to SQL Server. It was designed to provide better performance, scalability, and security, and it introduced many new features.
Features of SQL Server 2014
Here are some of the features that were introduced in SQL Server 2014:
- In-Memory OLTP
- Buffer Pool Extension
- Managed Backup
These features made SQL Server more powerful and flexible, and it continued to evolve to meet the changing needs of developers and businesses.
SQL Server 2016 (2016)
SQL Server 2016 was released in 2016, and it was another major update to SQL Server. It was designed to provide better performance, scalability, and security, and it introduced many new features.
Features of SQL Server 2016
Here are some of the features that were introduced in SQL Server 2016:
- Query Store
- Temporal Tables
- Always Encrypted
These features made SQL Server more powerful and flexible, and it continued to evolve to meet the changing needs of developers and businesses.
SQL Server 2017 (2017)
SQL Server 2017 was released in 2017, and it was another major update to SQL Server. It was designed to provide better performance, scalability, and security, and it introduced many new features.
Features of SQL Server 2017
Here are some of the features that were introduced in SQL Server 2017:
- Graph Database
- Automatic Plan Correction
- Python Integration
These features made SQL Server more powerful and flexible, and it continued to evolve to meet the changing needs of developers and businesses.
SQL Server 2019 (2019)
SQL Server 2019 was released in 2019, and it was another major update to SQL Server. It was designed to provide better performance, scalability, and security, and it introduced many new features.
Features of SQL Server 2019
Here are some of the features that were introduced in SQL Server 2019:
- Big Data Clusters
- Intelligent Query Processing
- Accelerated Database Recovery
These features made SQL Server more powerful and flexible, and it continued to evolve to meet the changing needs of developers and businesses.
FAQ
What is the latest version of SQL Server?
The latest version of SQL Server is SQL Server 2019.
Can I use SQL Server on Linux?
Yes, SQL Server can be installed and used on Linux operating systems.
What are some of the benefits of using SQL Server?
There are many benefits of using SQL Server, including:
- Scalability and Performance
- Security
- Business Intelligence
What is the cost of SQL Server?
The cost of SQL Server varies depending on the edition and licensing model. However, there are also free versions available, such as SQL Server Express.
What is the difference between SQL Server and MySQL?
SQL Server and MySQL are both relational database management systems, but they are developed by different companies and have different feature sets. SQL Server is developed by Microsoft and is designed to work specifically with Windows operating systems. MySQL is developed by Oracle and can be used on a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Conclusion
We hope you found this SQL Server version list helpful. As you can see, SQL Server has come a long way since its inception, and it continues to evolve and improve with each new release. Whether you are a developer or a business owner, SQL Server is a powerful tool that can help you store, manage, and analyze your data. So, if you haven’t already, why not give it a try?