A few days ago, Microsoft released Service Pack 1 (SP1) for SQL Server 2016. This release however, is not at all similar to older releases of SQL Server service packs, in a very pleasant manner.
Breakthrough Changes in SQL Server 2016 SP1
In addition to cumulative patches, bug fixes, improvements, etc., SQL Server SP1 does something else as well; it makes features that until now you could only find them in Enterprise Editions, available to the rest of the Editions of SQL Server 2016 with SP1. Yes, you’ve heard right! This is an exciting, breakthrough change!
Now you can use In-Memory OLTP not only in the Enterprise Edition of SQL Server 2016 SP1 but also in the Standard Edition, Web Edition and even in the Express Edition! Also, you can use columnstore, dynamic data masking and much more!
Summary Table
Let’s see below a table of Enterprise features of SQL Server 2016 that are now available in other editions as well, after of course upgrading to Service Pack 1:
| Advanced Features of SQL Server 2016 SP1 Now Available in Other SQL Server 2016 SP1 Editions | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feature/SQL Server 2016 SP1 Edition | SQL Server 2006 SP1 Enterprise Edition | SQL Server 2006 SP1 Standard Edition | SQL Server 2006 SP1 Web Edition | SQL Server 2006 SP1 Express Edition | SQL Server 2006 SP1 Local DB Edition |
| Row-Level Security | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Dynamic Data Masking | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Change Data Capture | ● | ● | ● | ||
| Database Snapshot | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Columnstore | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Partitioning | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Compression | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| In-Memory OLTP | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| Always Encrypted | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| PolyBase | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| Fine Grained Auditing | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Multiple File Stream Containers | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| For more information please check this MSDN blog article. | |||||
As you can see this is indeed a breakthrough change. Now, everyone can experience the full potential of SQL Server. Now these features will be used even more broadly. New development work will include them even more thus creating new generation data applications that make use of these features. The possibilities are endless!
I’m planning to start a series of articles covering all these features in simple words and with simple examples so stay tuned!
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Artemakis Artemiou is a seasoned Senior Database and AI/Automation Architect with over 20 years of expertise in the IT industry. As a Certified Database, Cloud, and AI professional, he has been recognized as a thought leader, earning the prestigious Microsoft Data Platform MVP title for nine consecutive years (2009-2018). Driven by a passion for simplifying complex topics, Artemakis shares his expertise through articles, online courses, and speaking engagements. He empowers professionals around the globe to excel in Databases, Cloud, AI, Automation, and Software Development. Committed to innovation and education, Artemakis strives to make technology accessible and impactful for everyone.