Microsoft JDBC Driver 4.0 for SQL Server CTP2 Released

The second Community Technology Preview of the next version of Microsoft’s JDBC Driver for SQL Server is now available for download.

Offered through the Microsoft Download Center as usual, Microsoft JDBC Driver 4.0 for SQL Server CTP2 can be tested by developers free of charge.

Devs need to be aware that just by downloading the driver they automatically agree with the terms and conditions of the End-User License Agreement, so it might be a good idea for them to check out the EULA first.

The software giant is offering the JDBC Driver 4.0 for SQL Server in order to enable applications using JDBC APIs specific of the Java Platform, Enterprise Edition 5 and above, to connect to Microsoft’s data platform.

“The Microsoft JDBC Driver 4.0 for SQL Server CTP2 download is available to all SQL Server users at no additional charge, and provides access to Microsoft SQL Server code-named 'Denali' CTP, SQL Server 2008 R2, SQL Server 2008 and SQL Server 2005 from any Java application, application server, or Java-enabled applet,” the software giant revealed.

Softpedia readers might remember that Microsoft released the first Community Technology Preview of JDBC Driver 4.0 for SQL Server back in January 2011.

In this regard, CTP2 is a natural evolution for the technology, noted Amina Saify, Program Manager – SQL Server/JDBC.

“Thank you for providing great feedback on our first Community Technology Preview (CTP) of Microsoft JDBC Driver 4.0 for SQL Server. I am very pleased to announce the availability of our second CTP. This CTP includes bug fixes based on your feedback and additional features in “Denali”,” Saify said.

Just as it was the case with the first CTP, JDBC Driver 4.0 for SQL Server CTP2 sports type-4 Kerberos Integrated Security. As such, devs will be able to leverage authentication via TGT in cache and login configuration file support as well as enable customers to use single sign-on through mid-tier, according to Saify.

As far as client side support for SQL Server AlwaysOn Feature for Denali, developers can rely not only on multi-subnet failover for AlwaysOn, but will also be able to connect to read-only replicas for AlwaysOn.

In addition to supporting SQL Server 2012 codenamed Denali, JDBC Driver 4.0 for SQL Server CTP2 is also designed to play nice with SQL Azure.

Microsoft JDBC Driver 4.0 for SQL Server CTP2 is available for download here.