SQL Server Codenamed Denali Release Date to Be Announced Soon

The release date for the next major iteration of SQL Server will be announced soon, according to Microsoft’s N. Raja.

The Redmond company has yet to announce the release to manufacturing deadline or the general availability date for its next iteration of the data platform.

The third Community Technology Preview release of SQL Server codenamed Denali is currently available to early adopters for testing.

“SQL Server Codename "Denali" is the next major release of SQL Server following SQL 2008 R2. It is currently in pre-release (CTP 3) and the release date is expected to be announced soon,” Raja said.

“Denali is a cloud-ready information platform that will help organizations unlock breakthrough business insights and quickly build solutions to extend data across on-premise, private and public clouds backed by mission critical confidence.”

There is no telling just how soon exactly Microsoft will announce the release of SQL Server codenamed Denali. Also, Raja didn’t make it clear whether the date will imply the RTM of the next version of SQL Server or the actual GA.

Personally, I expect the software giant to also reveal the branding strategy for SQL Server codename Denali.

In anticipation of the official moniker, I have been referring to codename Denali using the SQL Server 2012 label, which I think is about right. I also think that SQL Server 2012 RTM will hit general availability sometime in the first half of 2012.

“Some of the major enhancements to the SQL Server Data Platform include:

• The 9s you need with "Always On" for advanced High Availability and Disaster Recovery Solutions;

• Blazing Fast Query Performance with "Project Apollo";

• Rapid Data Discovery by combining "Project Crescent" with Power Pivot;

• Credible, Consistent Data via "BI Semantic Model (BISM)" and "Data Quality Services";

• Write Applications Once to Run Anywhere with "Project Juneau".

• A range of integrated Appliances for OLTP, Data Warehouse and Database Consolidation,” Raja added.

SQL Server Codenamed “Denali” CTP3 Demo VHD is available for download here.

SQL Server 2012 Codenamed Denali CTP3 is available for download here.