MS releases SQL Azure Database CTP

BANGALORE, INDIA:Microsoft on Tuesday announced that the Community Technology Preview (CTP) for its  SQL Azure Database service and SQL Server Driver for PHP 1.1 is available for download.

SQL Azure Database, is a cloud-based database service built on Microsoft SQL Server technology.

While, the SQL Server Driver for PHP 1.1 provides new capabilities for building PHP applications and support for SQL Azure, enabling developers to build PHP apps with relational database capabilities using SQL Server or SQL Azure Database.

According to a blog posted in Microsoft's developer network (MSDN)website, The CTP of SQL Azure Database would be available as a free trial till it goes live in November.

After which, it would be available in two editions, Web Edition with 1 GB of relational data priced at $9.99 per month and Business Edition with 10 GB of data, priced at $99.99 per month

“With SQL Azure, developers building Web 2.0, ASP.NET and PHP applications can use familiar tools and data models to develop on a pay-as-you-grow, secure, scalable and highly available database service at minimal infrastructure cost,” said the blog.