Following through on a promise made in April, Microsoft at TechEd 2006 released the first Community Technology Preview of SQL Server Everywhere Edition, a new version of the company's database product for client systems and mobile devices.

With a footprint of under 2 megabytes on disk, SQL Server Everywhere features a subset of the full server functionality and is designed to provide an organized data store for clients when offline. Everywhere Edition can synchronize back with a full SQL Server database, or operate independently.

Explaining some usage scenarios to BetaNews on Tuesday, Microsoft said an application could utilize SQL Server when connected to a network and then transition to a local data store provided by SQL Server Everywhere when the user disconnects.

Everywhere can be used in strictly mobile situations as well, offering a data storage platform for Windows Mobile and Pocket PC developers to build upon. The initial CTP release will not support Windows Mobile, but Microsoft says that will change before the final release slated for the end of the year.

SQL Server Everywhere Edition will be distributed free of charge like SQL Server Express, which supports databases up to 4GB and is targeted at more database-intensive applications. The Everywhere CTP runs on Windows XP SP2, Server 2003 and Windows Vista Beta 2.

"The SQL Ev team has been extremely busy creating this new MSI, creating the ClickOnce package, adding the DataDirectory macro and a host of other things we had to “fit & finish” before making the CTP available," said Microsoft's Steve Lasker. "We even have early, updated docs ready for download."