MICROSOFT SQL SERVER ON LINUX

Microsoft has finally come up with the database that is compatible with its rival LINUX. It is expected to be released somewhere in middle of 2017, as it is stated in their blog. This has been an important step for Microsoft as Microsoft has been concentrating only on its core operating system that is Windows. It is one of the several steps under the champ Satya Nadella that Microsoft has taken to make their software compatible with the rival operating system.

‘THREATS’

SQL server is a core product of the company and a huge portion of data market uses SQL Server to manage their databases.

Scott Guthrie, head of Microsoft’s cloud and enterprise group, said that Linux version is currently being previewed and tested by customers but would be fully available by the middle of 2017. He also shared that Renault’s Formula 1 racing team was one of the first test customers for this code.

Market Analysts say that Linux compatibility will make Microsoft a competitor to Oracle that is currently the market leader. 

Gartner analyst Merv Adrian told Reuters that the move made sense because although business spending on technology had been "lacklustre" the amount of cash firms spent to maintain and update database software keep rising.

Mr Adrian said Oracle would undoubtedly notice Microsoft's step into the Linux market.

"It's a significant competitive threat they didn't have before," he said.

The move also puts Microsoft into more direct competition with IBM and SAP. There are also a lot of free Linux-based database programs available.

The release of SQL Server is one among several steps Microsoft has taken to work more closely with Linux and its advocates.

The data centre management software Microsoft uses for its Azure service is based on Linux; it has also produced software that helps people manage Linux servers and has released an analytics package called R Server that works with several different versions of Linux.

The greater willingness to work with former rivals has been one of the hallmarks of Satya Nadella's reign at Microsoft.