Issue No. 48July 2016

What’s New in Microsoft SQL 2016?

With the launch of SQL 2016 on June 1, we have been getting more and more questions from our client’s on what’s new with the product. There are two practices that drive successful modern applications today – a fast time to market, and a relentless focus on listening to customers and rapidly iterating on their feedback. This has driven numerous improvements in software development and management practices. SQL Server 2016 delivers many SQL tools enhancements that converge on the same goal of increasing day-to-day productivity, while developing and managing SQL servers and databases on any platform. With SQL Server 2016:

• It’s easier to access popular tools, such as SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT).
• Monthly releases of new SQL tools make it easy to stay current with new features and fixes.
• Day-to-day development is being simplified, starting with a new connection experience.
• New SQL Server 2016 features have a fully guided manageability experience.
• Automated build and deployment of SQL Server databases can improve your time to market and quality processes.

Finding and using the most popular SQL tools is easier than ever

We received insightful feedback from customers about how difficult it was to find and install tooling for SQL Server, so we’ve taken a few steps to ensure the experience in SQL Server 2016 is as easy as possible.

Free and simple to find and install SQL tools 

The SQL Server tools download page is the unified place to find and install all SQL Server-related tools. The latest version of SQL tools doesn’t just support SQL Server 2016, but it also supports all earlier versions of SQL Server, so there is no need to install SQL tools per SQL Server version. In addition, you don’t need a SQL Server license to install and use these SQL tools.

All your SQL tools for Visual Studio in one installer, for whichever version of SQL Server you use   

SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) is the name for all your SQL tools installed into Visual Studio. With just one installation of SSDT in Visual Studio 2015, developers can easily integrate efforts to develop applications for SQL Server, Analysis Services, Reporting Services, Integration Services and any application in Visual Studio 2015 for SQL Server 2016 – or older versions as needed.

Easy to stay current – new features and fixes every month

 One of the goals for SQL tools is to provide world-class support for your SQL estate wherever it may be. This could be comprised of SQL servers running on-premises or in the cloud, or some fantastic hybrid of both. We support it all. In order to enable world class coverage of this diverse estate, we have adopted a monthly release cadence for our SQL tools. These stand-alone SSMS releases include an update checker that informs you of newer SSMS releases when they become available. SSDT update notification continues to be fully integrated with Visual Studio’s notification system.

Day-to-day development is being simplified, starting with a new connection experience. Discover and seamlessly connect to your databases anywhere

No more need to memorize server and database names. With just a few clicks, the new connection experience in SQL Server Data Tools helps you automatically discover and connect to all your database assets using favorites, recent history or by simply browsing SQL servers and databases on your local PC, network and Azure. In addition, the new connection experience intelligently detects the type of connection you need, automatically configures default properties with sensible values and guides you through firewall settings for SQL Database and Data Warehouse.

Fully guided management experiences

SQL Server 2016 is packed with advanced, new features including Always Encrypted, Stretch Database, enhancements with In-Memory Table Optimization and new Basic Availability Groups for AlwaysOn – just to name a few. Server Management Studio (SSMS) delivers highly intelligent, easy-to-click-through wizard interfaces that help you enable these new features and make your SQL Server and Database highly secure, highly available and faster in just a few minutes. There’s an easy learning curve, even though the technology that’s under the hood enabling your business is powerful and complex

Source: Microsoft