Category Archives: Databases

SQL Server 2022 is now available

Microsoft has released  SQL Server 2022 in November 2022.    New features include Ledger, which preserves historical data and provides tamper evidence.

Oracle Database 21c and learning resources

Oracle Database 21c has been released with several new features.   This includes Blockchain tables, which is a new type of table that only allows  insert operations. Other enhancements include a new JSON data type and new SQL Function JSON_TRANSFORM.  Oracle has also updated its Database Administrator’s Guide and JSON Developer’s Guide for this database version.

More information about these new features of Oracle Database 21c at its online  documentation site.

Oracle also has a free cloud tier option as well as a free entry-level training program: Oracle Learning Explorer.

SQL Server 2019 generally available on November 4th 2019

Microsoft announced the general availability of SQL Server 2019 on November 4th 2019 at its Ignite conference.  There are four editions:  Enterprise, Standard, Express, and Developer.  Express and Developer editions are free and can be downloaded from microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-downloads.

A list of new features for SQL Server 2019 is also available.

More information is available at microsoft.com/sql-server/sql-server-2019 and the Tech Community site.

Airtable is a cloud based hybrid of spreadsheets and databases

Airtable is a cloud database that allows users to design databases in a spreadsheet-like format.  It allows collaboration with multiple users and can be accessed from MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android devicesMultiple templates are available to download including calendars, project management, etc.

Airtable can be accessed for free for databases smaller than 1200 records.   Paid versions with additional features are also available.

SQL Server 2019 Community Technology Preview 2.0 released

Microsoft announced the release of SQL Server 2019 Community Technology Preview (CTP) 2.0 on September 24th 2018 at its Ignite event.   SQL Server 2019 runs on Windows, Linux, and containers and has Apache Spark and Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS) to help create big data analytics.

Azure Data Studio is the new name for SQL Operations Studio

Microsoft announced the September 2018 release of Azure Data Studio, formerly known as SQL Operations Studio (preview version).  Azure Data Studio is a new open source desktop environment for SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, and Azure SQL Data Warehouse data that runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.