You must have heard about codes names used for various products released by Microsoft. Do they have any logic behind naming them? Recently I had the opportunity of watching a PASS SQL Server session conducted by Stephen Forte and at the start of the session he discussed about Microsoft product code names. That was really nice and thought of sharing with others.
Different product teams have different conventions of naming them. Windows CE team naming their products after Whiskies. For example, Talisker, Macallan etc. Visual Studio team is naming their products after Islands or Cities Pacific North West. So what are used for SQL Server? Well, National parks are used for code names are SQL Server.
Shiloh – SQL Server 2000
Shiloh is National Military Park in US. Shiloh National Military Park preserves the American Civil War Shiloh and Corinth battlefields.
Yukon – SQL Server 2005
Though many are saying this is a mountain, there is a National park called Yukon in Alaska.
Katmai – SQL Server 2008
Katmai is again a National park. Katmai National Monument was created in 1918 to preserve the famed Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a spectacular forty square mile, 100 to 700 foot deep ash flow deposited by Novarupta Volcano. A National Park & Preserve since 1980, today Katmai is still famous for volcanoes, but also for brown bears, pristine waterways with abundant fish, remote wilderness, and a rugged coastline.
Kilimanjaro – SQL Server 2008 R2
Kilimanjaro, The name itself is a mystery wreathed in clouds. It might mean Mountain of Light, Mountain of Greatness or Mountain of Caravans.
Denali – SQL Server 2011
For the future version of SQL Server again the standard is maintained. Denali is situated in Alaska.
Finally , there is a another cool story about code name Longhorn. That is the code name for Vista. Can you guess what longhorn is? Well it is a BAR!!!. Yes it is a bar situated between Whistler and Blackcomb it is said to be easily the most popular bar in Whistler.one of the most favorable locations in all the drinking world. You can view some of the pictures from here.
Singing Pass in August as seen between Whistler and Blackcomb
Whistler is the code name for Windows 2003 and Blackcomb is code name for Windows 7. Since Vista release between Windows 2003 and Windows 7, Vista was named after bar which is between Whistler and Blackcomb.
