Microsoft announced today that the latest version of its SQL Server product has been released to manufacturing. The company plans to offer SQL Server 2008 in several different formats, including a version specifically designed for web developers aimed at MySQL and a mobile version known as SQL Server Compact.
The latest release of the database management platform brings with it myriad of new features such as policy-based management, auditing, large-scale data warehousing, geospatial data and advanced reporting and analysis services. Pricing will remain the same for 2008 editions as it was for the 2005 editions, according to Microsoft, and the final product should be available within a week or two. In the meantime, however, they are making a trial version available for their MSDN and Technet subscribers.