Greetings Dev! If you are a database administrator or developer, you know that SQL Server is one of the most popular relational database management systems in the world. SQL Server has evolved over the years, and it is crucial to understand the version numbers if you want to stay updated with the latest features and improvements. In this article, we will dive deep into the different SQL Server version numbers, their features, and how they can impact your business.
What are SQL Server Version Numbers?
SQL Server version numbers are a series of digits that represent the specific version of SQL Server installed on your computer or server. Typically, the version number is incremented with every major release, with minor versions and service packs released in between. For example, SQL Server 2019 has several sub-versions, including 2019 CU8, 2019 CU9, etc.
It is essential to keep your SQL Server version up-to-date, as each new version comes with new features, security updates, and bug fixes. Moreover, running an older version of SQL Server may put your business at risk of cyberattacks, data loss, and reduced performance.
Complete List of SQL Server Version Numbers
SQL Server Version |
Release Date |
Latest Service Pack |
|---|---|---|
SQL Server 2000 |
2000 |
SP4 |
SQL Server 2005 |
2005 |
SP4 |
SQL Server 2008 |
2008 |
SP4 |
SQL Server 2008 R2 |
2008 R2 |
SP3 |
SQL Server 2012 |
2012 |
SP4 |
SQL Server 2014 |
2014 |
SP3 |
SQL Server 2016 |
2016 |
SP2 |
SQL Server 2017 |
2017 |
CU25 |
SQL Server 2019 |
2019 |
CU8 |
SQL Server 2000
SQL Server 2000 was released in 2000 and was the first version to support Windows 2000. It introduced new features like XML support, DTS (Data Transformation Services), and English Query. SQL Server 2000 has been out of support since 2008 and should not be used in production environments.
If you are still using SQL Server 2000, it is time to upgrade to a newer version. SQL Server 2000 is vulnerable to security attacks, and Microsoft no longer provides security updates.
However, if you are running SQL Server 2000 for legacy applications, you can use SQL Server 2008 R2 with the backward compatibility feature.
SQL Server 2005
SQL Server 2005 was released in 2005 and introduced significant improvements in security, availability, and scalability. It included features like database mirroring, native XML data type, and CLR (Common Language Runtime) integration.
SQL Server 2005 reached end-of-life in 2016, and Microsoft no longer provides updates or support. If you are still running SQL Server 2005, you should upgrade to a newer version immediately.
SQL Server 2008
SQL Server 2008 was released in 2008 and introduced several new features, including Resource Governor, Backup Compression, and Transparent Data Encryption. It also included support for spatial data types, FILESTREAM storage, and full-text search.
SQL Server 2008 reached end-of-life in 2019, and Microsoft no longer provides security updates or support. If you are still running SQL Server 2008, you should upgrade to a newer version immediately.
SQL Server 2008 R2
SQL Server 2008 R2 was released in 2010 and included several new features and improvements, such as Master Data Services, StreamInsight, and Data-tier Application Component (DAC). It also introduced support for up to 256 logical processors and contained numerous performance enhancements.
SQL Server 2008 R2 reached end-of-life in 2019, and Microsoft no longer provides security updates or support. If you are still running SQL Server 2008 R2, you should upgrade to a newer version immediately.
SQL Server 2012
SQL Server 2012 was released in 2012 and included several new features and enhancements, such as AlwaysOn Availability Groups, Contained Databases, and Columnstore Index. It also introduced support for Windows Server Core and introduced a new version of Management Studio.
SQL Server 2012 reached end-of-life in 2022, and Microsoft no longer provides security updates or mainstream support. If you are still running SQL Server 2012, you should upgrade to a newer version immediately.
SQL Server 2014
SQL Server 2014 was released in 2014 and included several new features, such as In-Memory OLTP, Buffer Pool Extension, and Cardinality Estimator. It also introduced support for Azure Backup, Backup Encryption, and Resource Governor for IO.
SQL Server 2014 reached end-of-life in 2024, and Microsoft no longer provides mainstream support. If you are still running SQL Server 2014, you should upgrade to a newer version before the end of mainstream support.
SQL Server 2016
SQL Server 2016 was released in 2016 and included several new features, such as Query Store, Temporal Tables, and PolyBase. It also introduced support for JSON data, Stretch Database, and Always Encrypted.
SQL Server 2016 reached end-of-life on 7 July 2026, and Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or mainstream support. If you are still running SQL Server 2016, you should upgrade to a newer version immediately.
SQL Server 2017
SQL Server 2017 was released in 2017 and included several new features, such as Automatic Tuning, Graph Database, and Adaptive Query Processing. It also introduced support for Linux, Python, and Machine Learning Services.
SQL Server 2017 will reach end-of-life on 12 October 2027, and Microsoft will provide security updates and mainstream support until then. However, it is advisable to upgrade to a newer version before the end-of-life.
SQL Server 2019
SQL Server 2019 was released in 2019 and included several new features, such as Big Data Clusters, Intelligent Query Processing, and Accelerated Database Recovery. It also introduced support for UTF-8 character encoding, Java Language Extension, and Azure Data Studio.
SQL Server 2019 will reach end-of-life on 7 January 2030, and Microsoft will provide security updates and mainstream support until then. It is the latest version of SQL Server and is recommended for new installations and upgrades.
SQL Server Version Number FAQ
What is the latest version of SQL Server?
SQL Server 2019 is the latest version of SQL Server, and it was released in November 2019.
How often does Microsoft release a new version of SQL Server?
Microsoft releases a new version of SQL Server every few years, with the latest release being SQL Server 2019.
How do I find the version of SQL Server installed on my computer?
You can find the version of SQL Server installed on your computer by running the following query in SQL Server Management Studio:
| Query |
|---|
| SELECT @@VERSION |
This will return the version number, including the edition and service pack.
Can I upgrade from an older version of SQL Server to the latest version directly?
Yes, you can upgrade from an older version of SQL Server to the latest version directly. However, you should make sure that your applications and databases are compatible with the latest version and perform thorough testing before the upgrade.
What happens if I continue to use an unsupported version of SQL Server?
If you continue to use an unsupported version of SQL Server, you may expose your business to security attacks, data loss, and reduced performance. Microsoft no longer provides updates, security patches, or support for unsupported versions, and you may not be able to receive assistance in case of issues.
Can I install multiple versions of SQL Server on the same computer?
Yes, you can install multiple versions of SQL Server on the same computer, but you should make sure to allocate the appropriate resources and not exceed the maximum capacity of the computer. You should also be careful while configuring the instances to avoid conflicts and compatibility issues.
Conclusion
SQL Server is a powerful relational database management system that has evolved over the years. It is essential to stay updated with the latest SQL Server version numbers to take advantage of the new features and improvements and avoid vulnerabilities and risks. In this article, we have covered the complete list of SQL Server version numbers, their features, and how they can impact your business. We hope that this article has helped you and provided you with valuable insights into SQL Server version numbers.