Here it is! The team has really worked hard the last six weeks ( CTP5 seems like ages ago! ) to bring you this CTP6 release. Let me give you a quick overview of the changes we have made to the product since we released CTP5:

  • Full SQL Server 2000 & 2005 object support
  • Extended Properties Support
  • Inline constraint support
  • Pre and Post script deployment population during Import Script
  • Team Build Support
  • Import Schema Wizard ( also integrated with the New Project Wizard )
  • The ability to synchronize your project from a database ( selective import essentially, based on differences. We heard your feedback! )
  • Refactoring is allowed in files that are in a warning state
  • Overall stability and performance
  • Fixed many customer reported problems
  • Support for 3 and 4 part name resolution when referenced database is present on design instance
  • No longer install SQL Express ( you'll notice the download is a LOT smaller! ). You can pick your own SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition or SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition instance on the local box
  • Display detailed Schema Object properties in the property window for selected objects in the Schema View
  • Separation of user target database settings through the user project file

I hope that has whet your appetite to stop what you are doing and download these bits! :)

So what if I have CTP5 installed?

You will need to uninstall CTP5 ( and/or the performance refresh ) before installing CTP6. This will be the last time we make you do that! That is, projects created with CTP6 will be compatible with the release build once available. ( Unfortunately, projects created in CTP5 will not work in CTP6. Either re-import your database, or add the files via the Add Existing Item... menu item. )

So the steps are as follows:

  1. Uninstall CTP5 Performance Refresh
  2. Uninstall CTP5
  3. Install CTP6

Also, we will have another survey that we are really looking for your participation in! I will announce that link in the next day or so. In the meantime, download CTP6, take it out for a test drive, and please let us know what you think!

And for those who actually made it all the way to this part of this post, here's a direct link to the install!

Cheers!