If you haven’t heard yet, there are several major and exciting updates to SQL Server with the 2017 release. From the ability to run on Linux and Docker containers to rich data graphing functionality, the new features could have a big impact on your database and your data.
1) Expanded operating system support
In addition to Windows, you can now run SQL Server on Linux and Docker containers. If you’re already managing one of these environments – or you’ve been considering moving an existing SQL Server to one of these environments – then this will come as particularly welcome news.
It is worth nothing that there are some pieces of functionality that are missing on Linux. There are no Reporting Services, Analysis Services, or Machine Learning Services (formerly R services) yet. Only time will tell if customer demand sways Microsoft to offer these functions across all operating systems.