Feature SQL Server 2000 SQL Server 2005:::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Server Programming Extensions Limited to extended stored procedures, which are difficult to write and can impact the server stability. The incorporation of the CLR into the relational engine allows managed code written in .NET languages to run. Different levels of security can protect the server from poorly written code.

T-SQL Error Handling Limited to checking @@error, no much flexibility. Addition of TRY/CATCH allows more mature error handling. More error_xx functions can gather additional information about errors.T-SQL Language SQL Language enhanced from previous versions providing strong data manipulation capabilities. All the power of SQL Server 2000 with the addition of CTEs for complex, recursive problems, enhanced TOP capabilities, PIVOT/APPLY/Ranking functions, and ROW_NUMBERAuditing Limited support using triggers to audit changes. Robust event handling with EVENT NOTIFICATIONS, the OUTPUT clauses, and DDL triggers.

Large Data Types Limited to 8k for normal data without moving to TEXT datatypes. TEXT is hard to work with in programming environments. Includes the new varchar(max) types that can store up to 2GB of data in a single column/row.

XML Limited to transforming relational data into XML with SELECT statements, and some simple query work with transformed documents. Native XML datatype, support for schemas and full XPATH/XQUERY querying of data.

ADO.NET v1.1 of ADO.NET included enhancements for client development. v2 has more features, including automatic failover for database mirroring, support for multiple active result sets (MARS), tracing of calls, statistics, new isolation levels and more.

Messaging: No messaging built into SQL Server. Includes Service Broker, a full-featured asynchronous messaging system that has evolved from Microsoft Message Queue (MSMQ), which is integrated into Windows.

Reporting Services An extremely powerful reporting environment, but a 1.0 product. Numerous enhancements, run-time sorting, direct printing, viewer controls and
an enhanced developer experience.

ETL DTS is a very easy to use and intuitive tool. Limited capabilities for sources and
transformations. Some constructs, such as loops, were very difficult to implement. Integration
Services is a true programming environment allowing almost any source of data to be used and many more types of transformations to occur. Very complex environment that is difficult for non-DBAs to use. Requires programming skills.

Full-Text Search Workable solution, but limited in its capabilities. Cumbersome to work with in many situations. More open architecture, allowing integration and plug-ins of third party extensions. Much more flexible in search capabilities