SQL Server 2016 CTP 3.1

Plenty of new feaures in SQL Server 2016 CTP 3.1

DB Engine

Memory optimized table gain support for LOBs,unique indexs and indexes on nullable columns

CREATE TABLE dbo.A
(
A_No int IDENTITY(1,1) PRIMARY KEY NONCLUSTERED,
A_Id INT NOT NULL,
A_Units INT NULL,
A_value INT,
A_Description NVARCHAR(MAX), — LOB Support
INDEX i1 NONCLUSTERED (A_Units), — Index on Nullable Column
INDEX i2 UNIQUE NONCLUSTERED (A_Value) — Unique Index
) WITH (MEMORY_OPTIMIZED=ON, DURABILITY=SCHEMA_ONLY);

Analysis Services Tabular

• Tabular models can be upgraded to SQL Server 2016 (Compatability Level 1200)
• In October a new modelling language was released for Tabular Models using JSON as part of SSDT fo Visual Studio 2015
• The JSON document can now be editing using the Visual Studio JSON Editor that includes syntax highlighting and validation. The free Visual Studio Community Edition 2015 or higher is needed
• Roles can be created for Tabular Models at Compatability Level 1200

BI

• SQL Server PowerPivot and Reporting Services/Power View for SharePoint 2016, requires SharePoint Server 2016 Beta 2
• Office Online Server Preview also needed, SharePoint Server no longer includes Excel Services
• Excel Services, now called Excel Online Server, is now only available with Office Online Server.