ORLANDO, Florida – Microsoft released the latest version of its SQL Server product across its home platform, Linux, and Docker-based systems. The launch marks the first time the computing giant has released a SQL Server version for Linux and Docker.

Initial support is for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), SUSE Enterprise Linux, and Ubuntu Linux distribution platforms.

Scott Guthrie, executive vice president at Microsoft’s Cloud and Enterprise Group, explained the move allows companies to tap into the platform’s capabilities without having to learn a new programming language.

“The bottom line is that SQL Server 2017 delivers industry-leading, mission critical performance and security with everything built in, including AI, now on the platform of your choice,” Guthrie said during a keynote address at this week’s Microsoft Ignite event.

The SQL Server is an on-premises database system used for storing data. The company offers variations of the platform targeted at private, public, and hybrid cloud environments.

Highlighting the market potential of opening up the platform, Guthrie said the company has already had more than 2 million pull requests for the SQL Server Linux image from Docker Hub over the past three months.

The SQL Server 2017 itself includes a new adaptive query-processing engine designed to be faster than its predecessor. It also uses machine-learning models built with R and Python that can run directly inside the database.

“This means you can train advanced models easily with data inside SQL Server without having to move data,” Guthrie said.

Support for Linux and Docker continues Microsoft’s push on using open source platforms. The company last year surprised many by joining the Linux Foundation. Microsoft has since worked on integrating various Linux and open source platforms into its cloud and container work.

In fact, a number of sessions at this week’s Ignite event have been dedicated to hands-on work in using Linux platforms within the Windows ecosystem.

Photo Courtesy of Microsoft: Scott Guthrie, executive vice president at Microsoft’s Cloud and Enterprise Group, at a Microsoft Event.