Why is the Common Language Runtime so important for SQL Server?
Its programmability. It gives us what we call language-independent stored procedures. Stored procedure language today is T-SQL. It’s just that one language, and it’s not the best language. The SQL guys aren’t necessarily good language people. But the developer team is, and the ability to write in C# stored procedures and be in the IDE [integrated development environment] where developers live is a very powerful feature. When product slippages are announced, that sometimes signals further delays. Is there any chance SQL Server could slip later than 2004? It won’t be longer. No chance? Maybe. But I don’t think so. We’re really locked down. The SQL Server team is a pretty well disciplined team. There’s not a lot of unknowns. They’re narrowing in and getting ready to ship. I would be worried if I were slipping the beta. That would be a bigger danger sign. I’m not slipping the beta. The betas are staying on track. I just think they need a little bit more shake-and-bake time. The last versio
