Though Microsoft had only publicly committed to a first half of 2003 release date for SQL Server Yukon Beta 1, the internal goal was to deliver the release at TechEd. In a CRN report, sources note that the early date of the TechEd show--which runs from June 1-6 in Dallas, Texas--might preclude Microsoft from delivering Yukon in time. But Stan Sorensen, Director of SQL Server Product Management, says the company will still hit Beta 1 before the end of the month.
Technology from the Yukon database will be used to implement WinFS (Windows Future Storage), an NTFS file system add-on that Microsoft will deliver in Longhorn, the next Windows version, which is due in 2005. Yukon itself will offer better security, backup, and security features; new integration with .NET, XML and Web services; support for programming language independent stored procedures; and other features.