MS unveils SQL Server '05 driver for PHP

BANGALORE, INDIA: The development team at Microsoft has announced the release of Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Driver for PHP version 1.0. This release marks another step in Microsoft’s continued commitment to interoperability. 

According the release, the SQL Server Driver for PHP was developed according to the feedback and bug reports which the team received throughout the development cycle for the driver since the initial Community Technology Preview (CTP) in October of 2007. 

Microsoft has published the source code to the driver on the CodePlex site.  There, developers can download the source code and provide feedback in the form of bug reports and feature requests.

David Sceppa, program manager, Microsoft SQL Server Driver for PHP said:"We understand that many developers will download the source code from CodePlex to create their own build(s) of the driver.  However, Microsoft supports only the signed version of the driver from the MSDN download site.  If you're using a custom built version of the driver and encounter problems, please reproduce the problem with the Microsoft-built driver before contacting Microsoft support." 

Answering on how Microsoft will respond to feedback and update the driver, he said: "We will be responsive to feedback on the CodePlex, MSDN Forum and through our blog, weighing in on both feature requests and bug reports.  We currently plan to update the driver available on the MSDN download site approximately once every three months.  When we update the driver on the MSDN download site, we will also push the corresponding changes to the source code up to the CodePlex site."

"With each successive update, we will revisit this plan.  We've seen too many projects over-reach in their plans to be responsive to the community. We would prefer to start with a more conservative approach and make sure we're successfully delivering on that before expanding." he added.