Microsoft liberated technology previews of SQL Azure, the database for its Azure cloud communications platform, with SQL Server StreamInsight, its access in the CEP (complex event processing) arena.

Also declared was a SQL Server driver that present Azure support for PHP (hypertext preprocessor), a language well-liked amongst Web application developers. MSDN as well as Technet subscribers gained access to the previews; they will be normally obtainable today.

SQL Azure Database is accessible at no charge until Azure's business commence in November, at which point it will be presented in two tiers. The Web edition will cost US$9.99 a month as well as permit up to 1GB of data, while the Business Edition will contain up to 10GB with cost $99.99 per month, according to an official blog post.

The software symbolizes a division of SQL Server 2008's capabilities, according to Forrester Research analyst James Kobielus.

"This is a proof-of-concept that SQL Server can be ported to the cloud as well as support some superior analytics that would be exclusive if organized on premises," Kobielus alleged.

Temporarily, SQL Server StreamInsight, which will contend with CEP technologies from the likes of Tibco as well as IBM, focuses on ruling insights from synchronized information.

CEP software analyzes streams of dealings looking for positive patterns or connection, later triggering a reply if necessary. Such as, it is used by financial organization for rapid-fire stock trading, as well as e-commerce sites for scam recognition.

While the CEP market remains somewhat small, spectator guess it will grow rapidly in coming years.

StreamInsight will be delivering as part of SQL Server 2008 R2, which is estimated to be obtainable in the first half of next year, according to a blog post.