Microsoft releases February test build of SQL Server 2008

Microsoft is rolling out on February 19 a new Community Technology Preview (CTP) test build of SQL Server 2008.

The new build, which Microsoft is labeling as "feature-complete," will be available for download by any of the 100,000 testers who are registered to participate in the CTP program, Microsoft said.

Microsoft recently announced SQL Server 2008 would ship in the third calendar quarter of 2008 instead of the second. In spite of the slip, Microsoft is still planning to officially launch its newest database release alongside Windows Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008 at its February 27 "Heroes Happen Here" event in Los Angeles. Customers just won't be able to get SQL Server 2008 until the latter part of this year.

The new build includes more data-compression, policy-based management and integrated full-text search capabilities, according to the company.

In order to speed up its SQL Server development process, Microsoft has been testing SQL Server 2008, code-named “Katmai,” via a series of CTPs, rather than more traditional betas.