News

SQL Server Betas Ramp Up

• By Scott Bekker
• 03/14/2002

Redmond opened the nomination process late last month for users and organizations interested in beta testing the forthcoming 64-bit version of SQL Server, codenamed Liberty, and for a fourth service pack for SQL Server 7.0.

The SQL Server 7.0 SP4 beta program provides an "in" for users interested in being involved in some of the more high-profile beta testing programs, such as the "Yukon" release of SQL Server. Widespread testing of the Yukon beta is scheduled for the second half of this year.

"For major beta releases, such as the SQL Server 2000 beta or the 'Yukon' beta, only beta testers with a record of successful participation in previous betas are considered for participation. Service pack beta programs are less selective, representing an opportunity for later participation in major beta releases," Microsoft explains on its Web site.

Microsoft has publicly committed to shipping the Liberty release of SQL Server within 45 days of the 64-bit versions of Windows .NET Enterprise Server and Windows .NET Datacenter Server. Those operating systems are marked for a late 2002 release.

The Yukon release of SQL Server, which succeeds SQL Server 2000 and will integrate XML much further into the core of the database, is supposed to ship sometime in 2003, with simultaneous delivery of 32-bit and 64-bit editions.

SQL Server 7.0 has been on the market since late 1998. Service Pack 3 for SQL Server 7.0 came out in December 2000.

Click here to visit Microsoft's SQL Server beta nominations page.