SQL Server 2008: First Impressions

After the nine-hour download of the real SQL Server 2008 RTM from MSDN completed, I began the task of getting it installed on my new development system. It's an Intel Quad Core Duo with (only) 4GB of RAM, so you'll get an idea about how fast it is in comparison to yours when I start talking about timings.

I was initially surprised to find that the setup paradigm you've grown accustomed to in SQL Server 2000 and 2005 has been replaced (again). It's too early to pass judgment, but I can say that it's different but intuitive. However, before I got to the first SQL Server setup dialog, I found that the installation script wanted to install version 3.5 SP1 of the .NET Framework. This might already be in place if you have installed Visual Studio 2008 SP1. As you'll see later, it's a great idea to update Visual Studio before you install SQL Server 2008—it won't install if Visual Studio is not at SP1.

The article continues at http://www.developer.com/db/article.php/3764961