SQL Server Version Number List

SQL Server Version Number List: From SQL Server 7.0 to SQL Server 2022

Here is the updated blog post, including the pre-release code names for each major version of SQL Server:

Understanding the version of SQL Server you’re working with is essential for troubleshooting, compatibility, and taking advantage of new features. Over the years, SQL Server has introduced many improvements, with each version being identified by a unique version number (or build number). During the development phase, each major version of SQL Server is also given a code name.

In this post, we’ll explore the major versions of SQL Server from SQL Server 7.0 through SQL Server 2022, highlighting both their version numbers and pre-release code names.

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SQL Server Version Number List with Pre-release Code Names

SQL Server 7.0 (1998) – Code Name: Sphinx

• Version Number: 7.00.623
• Release Date: November 1998

SQL Server 7.0 was a major rewrite of the SQL Server engine, providing a more reliable and scalable database platform. It introduced several GUI tools, including the predecessor to SQL Server Management Studio, known as Enterprise Manager.

SQL Server 2000 (8.0) – Code Name: Shiloh

• Version Number: 8.00.194
• Release Date: November 2000

SQL Server 2000 added key features like indexed views, user-defined functions, and XML support. It was also the first version to offer a 64-bit edition, enabling SQL Server to handle more extensive hardware resources and larger databases.

SQL Server 2005 (9.0) – Code Name: Yukon

• Version Number: 9.00.1399
• Release Date: November 2005

A major overhaul, SQL Server 2005 introduced SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), Dynamic Management Views (DMVs), and the Service Broker. Integration with the Common Language Runtime (CLR) also allowed developers to write stored procedures using .NET languages.

SQL Server 2008 (10.0) – Code Name: Kilimanjaro

• Version Number: 10.00.1600
• Release Date: August 2008

SQL Server 2008 brought several new features, including Backup Compression, Transparent Data Encryption (TDE), Resource Governor, and FILESTREAM storage. These enhancements focused on improving data security and performance management for large workloads.

SQL Server 2008 R2 (10.5) – Code Name: Kilimanjaro R2

• Version Number: 10.50.1600
• Release Date: April 2010

While not a full new version, SQL Server 2008 R2 introduced significant improvements for business intelligence with features like PowerPivot and enhancements to SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) and SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS).

SQL Server 2012 (11.0) – Code Name: Denali

• Version Number: 11.00.2100
• Release Date: March 2012

SQL Server 2012 was a major release, introducing AlwaysOn Availability Groups, a feature that significantly enhanced high availability and Disaster Recovery. Other features included Columnstore Indexes, SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT), and Contained Databases.

SQL Server 2014 (12.0) – Code Name: Hekaton

• Version Number: 12.00.2000
• Release Date: April 2014

SQL Server 2014 introduced the groundbreaking In-Memory OLTP (Hekaton), designed for ultra-fast transaction processing. Additionally, it included Buffer Pool Extension, which allowed disk-based SSD storage to be used as an extension of the buffer pool.

SQL Server 2016 (13.0) – Code Name: SQL16

• Version Number: 13.00.1601
• Release Date: June 2016

SQL Server 2016 was a feature-packed release, including innovations like Query Store, Always Encrypted, native JSON support, and further enhancements to In-Memory OLTP. This version also introduced R Services for integrated data science analytics.

SQL Server 2017 (14.0) – Code Name: SQL17

• Version Number: 14.00.1000
• Release Date: October 2017

SQL Server 2017 marked a major step forward as it became the first version to run on Linux as well as Windows. Other key features included Adaptive Query Processing, Automatic Plan Correction, and the integration of Python for machine learning.

SQL Server 2019 (15.0) – Code Name: SQL19

• Version Number: 15.00.2000
• Release Date: November 2019

SQL Server 2019 expanded support for Big Data Clusters, offering integration with Apache Spark and HDFS. It further enhanced intelligent query processing and introduced Data Virtualization using PolyBase, allowing seamless queries across different data sources.

SQL Server 2022 (16.0) – Code Name: Azure SQL Database Edge

• Version Number: 16.00.1000
• Release Date: November 2022

The latest release, SQL Server 2022, builds on cloud integration with features like Azure Synapse Link for real-time analytics, and SQL Ledger for blockchain-based data integrity. It also includes further advancements in Query Intelligence for automatic query tuning.

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How to Check Your SQL Server Version Number

To find the version number of your SQL Server instance, you can run the following T-SQL query:

SELECT @@VERSION;

This will return the SQL Server version, edition, and exact build number currently installed.

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Final Thoughts

Knowing your SQL Server version is critical for effective database management, from applying patches and updates to ensuring feature compatibility. With each release, SQL Server brings new features and optimizations, so understanding your version helps you get the most out of your environment.

If you need assistance with SQL Server upgrades or Performance Tuning, Stedman Solutions’ SQL Server Managed Services can help you ensure your database is always optimized and up-to-date.

For monitoring your SQL Server environment, check out the Database Health Monitor, a free tool for performance monitoring and diagnostics.

If you have any questions or need support, Contact Us today!