Remember all the hoopla when SQL 2005 came out? Microsoft swore we’d get more frequent releases because the 5-year lag after SQL 2000 meant it wasn’t worth paying for Software Assurance on SQL Server. They promised we’d get new stuff faster.

Fast forward to today’s announcement:

“Microsoft is excited to deliver a feature complete CTP during the Heroes Happen Here launch wave and a release candidate (RC) in Q2 calendar year 2008, with final Release to manufacturing (RTM) of SQL Server 2008 expected in Q3.”

I literally just finished installing our first SQL 2008 development (non-lab) box and I was scheduling a meeting with our developers to encourage them to migrate their apps. Thank goodness they announced this before I held the meeting – I’d have looked like an idiot.

Update: the SQL Server 2008 release date is still scheduled for August.  I moderated a great webcast on SQL Server 2008’s new features with Kevin Kline, Hilary Cotter and Geoff Hiten talking about what’s coming.