I’ wondering if the SQL Server engine plateaued? From SQL Server 4.21, the first version I started using on the Windows platform, up to SQL Server 2005, each release had significant enhancements in the data engine. My perception is that the data engine has been relegated to a lower priority since SQL Server 2005. Enhancements to the data engine have been limited regarding features of the data engine itself.
That is not to say that there have not been some powerful improvements. Performance has been improved in the query engine, and enhancements made to even better take advantage of multi-core technologies. But the number of engine enhancements have decreased such as the addition of sequences, user defined table types available as input parameters to procedure code, enhanced date data types, always on, etc. since 2005.
Instead the ancillary products that were originally add-on tools have received that majority of the development efforts. PowerPivot, BI mining, Data Appliances, SSIS and SSRS have all had major enhancements.
From my perspective it looks like the future for new SQL Server features will be focused on the smallest and largest systems. The embedded engine seems to be gaining traction for use in the small footprint computers such as tablets and Windows Phones. The enterprise engines are already a continuing focus of development work.
So, I’m simply wondering, is there nothing new needed in SQL? What would you want to see were they to put energy into extending the data engine? Share your ideas here or drop me an email at btaylor@sswug.org.
Cheers,
Ben