Microsoft SQL Server 2014 CTP2 Now Available

If you're into this sort of thing, Microsoft has now taken a step closer to the final release of SQL Server 2014 by offering a Community Preview 2 for download – or to run on Windows Azure.

If you've noticed, Microsoft has decided to stop using the "beta" term a lot lately and instead thrown beta products out to the public as "Previews." Today's release is the 2^ndCommunity Technology Preview (CTP2) and will probably be the last prior to spit and polish. Previews allow customers to get a brief taste of product improvements and accomplished milestones to help build excitement for a public release.

You can choose to download an ISO or CAB file to run in a test environment in your own organization, or opt to just try out the Preview on Windows Azure.

Choose your options here: Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Community Technology Preview 2 (CTP2)