Current Version of Microsoft SQL Server – A Detailed Guide
When it comes to database management systems, MSSQL Server continues to be a reliable solution. By staying up-to-date with the current version of Microsoft SQL Server, users and database administrators benefit from the advanced features and security upgrades in SQL Server. With this write-up, we will discuss the Microsoft SQL Server current version, and the benefits of upgrading to a new version. Additionally, we will learn more about the life cycle of the current version.
Current Version of Microsoft SQL Server (2022) – Overview
The SQL Server Version 2022 is the latest version released by Microsoft. This version is designed specially considering the modern challenges and setbacks faced by the database administrators in this rapidly growing technical era. This version was launched by Microsoft on 16th November, 2022 as version 16.x.
SQL Server 2022 introduced numerous advanced and improved features that support the constantly evolving database management system requirements. Let’s now take a look at the features of SQL Server 2022 version that helped users with resolving the challenges encountered by users that couldn’t be dealt with in the prior versions.
Advanced Features of SQL Server Version 2022
When the version launched, it came out with several enhanced features to improve the overall performance of the database management system. Here are the additions of the version.
Azure Cloud Integration in the Server in Current Version of Microsoft SQL Server
With the launch of SQL Server 2022, Microsoft integrated the cloud database services. Let’s now understand the services that were provided after the Azure integration.
- Azure Synapse – Offers real-time analytics while maintaining database performance.
- Azure Purview – Guarantees data compliance in the database.
- Managed Disaster Recovery – Offers built-in Disaster recovery services and allows you to configure SQL Server automatically to Azure SQL Managed Instance.
With these integrations in the current version of Microsoft SQL Server, it has become more efficient for users to work around and overcome the challenges. Let’s now take a look at the other upgrades of the version.
Advancement of Intelligent Query Processing
The intelligent query processing(IQP) in SQL Server is specifically designed to improve the performance of queries without making any changes to the code or the queries. Below, we have mentioned a few advancements that were introduced with the Microsoft SQL Server current version(2022):
- Parameter Sensitive Plan(PSP) – Earlier, the SQL Server used to create the query execution plans depending on the first parametric value ot came across. This execution process might result in reused execution plans, resulting in poor performance of the queries. This issue is resolved by the Parameter Sensitive Plan optimization process, which works by creating several execution plans for a single query.
- Feedback-Based Query Optimization – This SQL Server feature helps users by improving query execution by understanding and learning from the runtime query execution metrics. With different types of feedback, the SQL Server continuously evolves and improves its query plans to be more precise without any manual intervention.
Similar to these, SQL Server 2022 comprises various other IQP advancements that help with better performance of the database and query execution. Moving on to the other improved features of the current version of Microsoft SQL Server.
Enhanced Security Features of the Current Version
SQL Server Database version 2022 is much more secure than the prior versions, as it introduced various advanced security features for database protection. These features secure the database from any risk of unauthorized access or data tampering. Doesn’t matter if the database is cloud-based or on-premises; these security features are capable of securing the data in all cases.
The advanced security features of this SQL version are beneficial to protect the database from any unauthorized access and also help track the activities on the server and database.
These are a few features that were introduced with SQL Server 2022. But if we talk about the version, 2022 is generally the Microsoft SQL Server current version. There are certain situations where the users are not much aware of the versions they are working on. Let’s now take a look at the methods that will help them know about the current version of SQL Server.
How to Know Which SQL Server Version You Are Working On?
There are a few ways that will help users find the current version of SQL Server. We will discuss them one by one to understand them better.
Get the Current Version of Microsoft SQL Server With the Help of T-SQL Command
This is one of the most common ways to know about the crucial SQL Server details, like the version, edition, and other general details.
The command that will help the users is mentioned below:
SELECT @@VERSION
This command will tell you the details like SQL Server edition, version, and information regarding the Operating System on which SQL Server is running. Let’s move to the next method, which will help the users get the crucial details regarding the version.
With the Help of SQL Server Management Studio
This is another method that will help the users understand and get the details they desire regarding the SQL Server version. To know the version, users can follow the given steps and learn about the current version of Microsoft SQL Server.
- Open SSMS, and connect it to SQL Server instance.
- In Object Explorer, right-click on the desired server name.
- Go to properties and then go to the General Tab.
You will get all the required details about the server version and edition. This is another way that can be helpful in case of version detection. Moving on to the next method, let’s see how we can use a professional solution and how it can be beneficial in such situations.
Using an Expert Solution For Determining Microsoft SQL Server Current Version
Sometimes, an expert solution also helps the users in such situations. The solution we recommend is the SQL Recovery Tool.
This tool not only helps with determining the SQL Server version, but also allows you to scan the database files for any corruption or damage and further resolve them efficiently. The steps to using this solution to know current version of Microsoft SQL Server are simple.
- Install and launch the expert solution.
- Add the database files by clicking on the OPEN Button.
- The tool will allow you to choose the SQL Server version manually (if you know the version you are using) or let the tool auto-detect the version for you.
After this scan, a report will be generated showing the crucial data regarding the SQL Server database. Through that report, you can easily get the details about the SQL Server version, edition, etc. Furthermore, if your database has encountered any corruption in the database, the tool helps you recover the data effectively.
This way, you can determine the database’s version as well as check its health. Along with knowing the Microsoft SQL Server current version, it is also crucial to know the appropriate ways to resolve any issues occurring with the version, as the repair methods change as per the server version. Now, as we know about the version, let’s take a look at the lifecycle of this SQL Version.
Lifecyle of the Current Version of Microsoft SQL Server 2022
To keep updated with the SQL Server version, the users need to know about the lifecycle of the current version. Here are some dates to remember for SQL Server 2022.
- The version was made available to the users on 16th November, 2022.
- The Mainstream support will be provided to the users till 11th January, 2028.
- Whereas, the Extended support will be provided till 8th January, 2030.
As we can see here, the extended support for SQL Server 2022 will end in 2030, giving users time to proceed with their tasks and further plan the SQL Server database migration steps. Certainly, there are other versions like SQL Server 2019 and SQL Server 2017, whose extended support will end in a maximum of 2-3 years, so what can they do in such situations? After a version reaches its end-of-life cycle, the users must take appropriate steps before the current version of Microsoft SQL Server completely goes outdated.
Best Practices In Case the Microsoft SQL Server Current Version Reaches Its EOL
Here are some of the ways users and database administrators can implement to safeguard their database in case of version expiration.
- The first step in the case of SQL Server version end-of-life cycle is to plan and upgrade the server to a newer version. This will help the users to carry out their tasks easily. Also, the users will benefit from Microsoft’s support for the new versions.
- Next, it is crucial to update the applications as well. The users must check whether the applications are working well with the newer SQL Version or not.
- To ensure no data is lost before or after the upgrade, the users must take a full backup of the database before migrating to a newer version.
- The new SQL version might behave differently and support different features from the current version of Microsoft SQL Server. Hence, it is required for the users to monitor the upgrade and performance after the upgrade.
- Documenting the entire process is important. Keep every step documented for future purposes. Also, remove any logins or databases that are not being used on the server.
- With the SQL Server upgrade, it is also crucial to update the license. The terms and licenses for the newer version might be different from the older one, requiring an upgrade.
- Lastly, it is also required for the organizations to train their teams. This training regarding the software upgrade and how to use the newer version will help them operate the database.
Conclusion
With the help of this write-up, we have learned about the current version of Microsoft SQL Server. We have also discussed the advanced features of the current working SQL version. In case the users aren’t aware of the methods to learn about the versions, we have suggested a few methods. They will help the users learn about the Microsoft SQL Server current version.