SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 4 (latest SP in SQL 2005) was publically released on 18-Dec-2010. This time the word RTM suffixed to this patch name.

This is 1st time that SQL Release team has added “RTM” to a SQL Service Pack release and to a degree this is created some confusion……..what is means RTM or No RTM? Let me attempt to clarify this.

Before RTM there’s pre-release called CTP – SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 4 CTP 

Basically,  per the process SQL teams currently are first releasing a CTP (Community Technology Preview) of Service Packs with an objective to release a patch with highest quality.  Refer below excerpt from Microsoft SQL Server Driver for PHP Team Blog

• a deeper engagement with the right partners earlier in the planning and stabilization phases to get the requirements, design, and quality right
• grouping the features into multiple "sets" that have a correct logical sequence as well as balance the effort across all the component teams to finish the "set" around the same time
• each "set" is called a Community Technology Preview (some use Customer Technology Preview)
• the release criteria for the CTP are the same as final release (some corner case bugs may be deferred to a later CTP)

Next comes RTM – SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 4 RTM

Once the new patch has reached as stage to be made generally available to public, it termed as RTM (Release To Manufacturing). So when SQL Server 2005 SP4 CTP time and objectives are completed the final product released is called RTM.

Hope this will dispel the confusion around….SQL Server 2005 SP4 RTM Release………why RTM

Cheers!!

Disclaimer: I work at Microsoft. Everything here, though, is my personal opinion and is not read or approved by Microsoft before it is posted. No warranties or other guarantees will be offered as to the quality of the opinions or anything else offered here.