Microsoft recently announced that it would bring its SQL Server database to the OS kernel Linux next year. The tech giant's database will focus on SQL Server 2016 that will be available later this year. It commemorated the longer launch period at a recent New York City event and shared it is offering a free switchover for Oracle users.  

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Joseph Sirosh leads Microsoft's data group. He revealed that SQL Server 2016 will be much faster than the previous version. In fact, without using any new features such as better support for in-memory computing, queries can be completed one-quarter faster when using the same hardware, according to Tech Crunch

However, some queries' speed could skyrocket to 100x faster when new features such as in-memory updatable columnstores are used.

 Sirosh pointed out that it is unlikely that other relational databases will provide such ultra-fast speeds in the near future. That includes MySQL that requires a lot more hardware and costs, while not providing Microsoft's business-centered security features.

Another big benefit is that SQL Server 2016's speed gains will allow for real-time analytics. It ends the need to use the solution of a dedicated data warehouse.

Security is another major issue related to SQL Server 2016. It adds a new method called "homeomorphic encryption" that allows users to query data without the need to decrypt it.  

Microsoft had evaluated the trend to cloud computing. Sirosh shared that most of the features of the new version of SQLServer were built in the cloud so the software is already field tested.

In other Microsoft news, the company's co-founder Bill Gates answered several questions in his Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) session. He shared that issues such as global warming, bioterrorism, and poverty are big concerns for him, according to News.

The ex-Microsoft CEO also shared information about lighter topics. For example, he loves Thai food and sushi, and is a bargain shopper when buying clothes and jewelry (except for his life).

Gates even created a fun photo for his Reddit proof of identity. He recreated a 1973 yearbook photo in which he is lying on a desk while talking on a phone.

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