Hi,

It’s been quite a few days that SQL server 2008 (Katmai) CTP has came out. SQL server 2008 is being released with Visual studio 2008 and Longhorn server. There are many new features in the new version of SQL Server.

Here are some of the new features (Categorised) of the SQL server 2008.

Security and Data Auditing

Transparent Data Encryption

Data Auditing

Availability and Reliability

            Support for pluggable CPUs

            Enhanced Database Mirroring to include compression of mirror streams

Performance

            Data Compression

            Backup Stream Compression

            Performance Data Collection

            Improved Plan Guide Support

            Resource Governor

Management

            Policy-Based Management Framework

            Integration with Microsoft System Center

            Extended Events

Development Enhancements

            Entity Data Model

            SQL Server Change Tracking

            Table Valued Parameters

            MERGE statement

            Support for GEOMETRY and GEOGRAPHY data types

Reporting

            IIS is no longer required to run Reporting Services

            Rich-text support

            Enhanced visualization graphing

            Reports can be rendered to Microsoft Word

Removal of old features

            60, 65 and/or 70 compatibility modes

            NOLOG and/or TRUNCATEONLY for the BACKUP command

Thanks
Vikram