Microsoft to bring its database software SQL Server to Linux

Microsoft has revealed plans to bring its SQL Server Database software to Linux, an OS previously criticised by the Redmond based company.

The software giant has had a slightly turbulent relationship with Linux, often looking down on it and even went as far as then CEO Steve Ballmer likening the Linux to a 'cancer'. However, the leadership of current CEO Satya Nadella has lead Microsoft onto a more diplomatic path and has announced the release of a fully-featured version of SQL Server 2016 for Linux. 

“By taking this key product to Linux Microsoft is proving its commitment to being a cross platform solution provider. This gives customers choice and reduces the concerns for lock-in. We would expect this will also accelerate the overall adoption of SQL Server.” said Al Gillen, group vice president of enterprise infrastructure at IDC.

SQL Server 2016 on Linux will deliver 'ground-breaking security encryption capabilities' to protect data and 'Unique cloud capabilities that enable customers to deploy hybrid architectures.' According to Microsoft, this will provide customers with more flexibility in their data solution and is hailed as the most significant release of SQL Server that the company has ever done.

This isn't the first move by Microsoft in welcoming the open-source world. In April 2015, the company announced Visual Studio Code for Linux and just last week they acquired Android and iOS app maker, Xamarin. Other moves include releasing R Server for Linux and even developed its own Linux distribution, Azure Cloud Switch.

Microsoft is privately previewing the relational database capabilities from today and is targeting a mid-2017 release.