Data Management
SQL Server 2005, code-named "Yukon", was supposed to be out by now. That was also true a year ago. Microsoft's next major release of its flagship database technology is well behind schedule, but that hasn't reduced the anticipation.
For now, Microsoft has changed the delivery schedule to the first half of 2005. Look for more details about the timetable and specifics on the feature set at the SQL PASS conference later this month.
Even in advance of that, third-party software vendors and partners are eager for the Yukon release as they seek to leverage new baseline functionality Microsoft will be bringing to its database management system. ENT contributing editor Joe McKendrick has that story.
As the world waits for Yukon, the four-year-old SQL Server 2000 database is increasingly coming under attack from rival Oracle from a surprising angle -- price. Steve Swoyer takes a sharp look at what lurks underneath price claims from both Oracle and Microsoft.
Meanwhile, IBM hasn't stood still. Later this month the database giant will unleash its next major release of the DB2 Universal Database, code-named "Stinger."