IBM to out-Yukon Yukon?

IBM Software may be trying to steal Microsoft thunder with upcoming features for its DB2 database.

The company has tools, including some acquired with Rational Software, to ease Windows .Net development, according to a statement.

Concurrently, Microsoft 27 October kicks off its big professional developers conference in the US, where the next-generation SQL Server, known as Yukon, will be highlighted and the next-generation OS Longhorn previewed.

IBM is announcing DB2 features, codenamed Stinger, that let developers use either the Microsoft Visual Studio. Net toolset or Rational XDE Developer to design databases and database applications. Developers could also use existing visual Basic .Net and C# skills to write client- and DB2 server-side application logic, IBM claimed.

 The new tools will enable DB2 to host Microsoft's Common Language Runtime (CLR), meaning programmers could choose their preferred languages when writing database applications.

IBM said the tools may be downloaded from Monday, 27 October, from IBM's developerWorks site. Their functionality would eventually be incorporated into DB2 itself, the company said.

Big Blue bought Rational Software early this year. Rational had tools bridging the Java-based J2EE development platform and J2EE's main rival Microsoft .Net, and promised continued post-acquisition support for both. IBM worked with Microsoft to develop the DB2 capabilities through the Visual Studio Industry Partner (VSIP) program.

However, commentators have suggested they were meant to pre-empt a publicity push for Microsoft's Yukon. That next version of SQL Server is due late in 2004 and expected to include CLR support.

Attendees of the Microsoft developer conference in the US this week get beta bits of Yukon, early code for the next version of Visual Studio and a 'technical preview' of Longhorn. Longhorn is not due until 2005 at least.

A Yukon 'private' beta has been available to select testers since July. Commentators claim that IBM's latest DB2 developer thrust is part of the company's attempt to woo ISV and integration partners for its mid-market effort.