Wow, I thought I would be getting my SQL Sever 2008 at the up coming launch event, but it looks as if I will be getting a release candidate instead.

Here is the news:

Microsoft Postpones SQL Server 2008 Release

Microsoft postponed the final release of SQL Server 2008 until the third quarter of 2008. The company had planned to release the product during the second quarter but announced on a blog dedicated to SQL Server that it will now ship a release candidate for the new version in the second quarter with the final release to manufacturing version expected in the third quarter. The company also said that the new date still keeps the company on track to ship the database software within the original goal of 24 to 36 months after SQL Server 2005.

Microsoft said downloads of SQL Server Community Technology Preview (CTP) have reached more than a 100,000 copies. The CTP works like a test or beta version of the product.

On the blog, Microsoft emphasized that SQL Server 2008 is a major release for the company because it not only improves on the capabilities of the 2005 product, but it also provides the foundation for Microsoft's business intelligence software.

The 2008 version also includes features like Resource Governor, Backup Compression, Transparent Data Encryption, Enhanced Report Designer, FileStream Data Types (to manage unstructured documents), Spatial Data Support, and Compatibility with Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.

According to Microsoft, SQL Server is now running data warehouses larger than 20 TB in size.